User:Compassionate727/Drafts/Proxy war

A proxy war is an armed conflict wherein two or more states antagonize one another through intermediaries, which may be other states or non-state actors. Proxies receive support in numerous ways, including weapons and supplies, funding, training, intelligence, and advisors. Depending on how the proxy–benefactor relationship is defined, it may also entail certain quantities of combat soldiers.

Conflicts may either begin as proxy wars or become them when interested powers intervene.

Engaging in proxy war is considered strategically risky due to the autonomous nature of proxies, which presents risks including of proxies engaging in behavior that reflects poorly on the benefactor and the possibility for diffusion of weapons. For states considering intervention, perpetual escalation is also of concern.

Proxy wars are usually longer and more destructive than other types of wars because the support of a powerful benefactor encourages proxies to seek greater gains through violence.

Motives for participation
States engage in conflict by proxy to mitigate the costs of antagonizing another state.

Risks and costs
The autonomy of proxies presents numerous problems to benefactor states, including inability to control the proxies' actions and risk for diffusion of weapons.

States escalating an ongoing war risk other parties reciprocating to protect their interests and avoid losing face.