Proxy Wars: The Battlegrounds of the Cold War
What Are Proxy Wars?
Proxy wars became the primary battlegrounds of the Cold War. Due to the catastrophic risk of nuclear war, both superpowers avoided direct military confrontation and supported allied states, movements, and insurgencies in third-party nations. These conflicts allowed the U.S. and the USSR to compete for influence, test their ideologies, and expand their spheres of power without engaging each other directly on the battlefield.
Why Are Proxy Wars Important?
Proxy wars were not only military engagements but also ideological, political, and cultural struggles. These conflicts shaped the development of many nations and regions, leaving legacies that continue to affect global politics today. Understanding these wars provides insight into how superpower competition influenced the world, often at a devastating cost to the nations where these wars unfolded.