Proxy Wars: Vis a (by proxy) vis the war

A proxy war is a conflict involving the indirect or, at times, direct participation of third parties.

For instance, country A is in conflict with country B. To avoid direct confrontation, country A supports country C (its ally) in conflict with country D (an ally of country B).

It can also refer to a conflict instigated by a major power without its direct involvement.

Proxy wars enable major powers to avoid direct confrontation while advancing their interests in regions where they seek to maintain or expand their influence.

The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) can be seen as an example of a proxy war, with battles involving not only the major powers of the time, Athens and Sparta but also their respective allies.

During the Byzantine Empire (330–1453 CE), similar wars were often encouraged, typically between rival factions in opposing states to provoke internal conflicts.

The term gained prominence during the Cold War, as the U.S., the Soviet Union (USSR), and China were involved in various proxy wars.

The Vietnam War (1954–75) was one such example, with the USSR and China supporting North Vietnam and the Viet Cong, while the U.S. backed South Vietnam. The U.S. eventually withdrew, losing the war and its influence in the region.

Other significant proxy wars include the Soviet-Afghan War (1978–92) and the Angolan Civil War (1975–2002).

Iran is a key regional power aiming for a dominant role in the Middle East. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, it has warned that the region is nearing a broader conflict, accusing Israel of “crossing red lines.”

Iran uses proxy forces across the region to target Israel and U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria.

Its objective is to push the U.S. out of the region and diminish its influence, primarily through undermining Israel. Additionally, Iran supports a unified Palestinian state and opposes the two-state solution.

It aims to achieve these goals without direct military engagement.

Hamas has stated at times that Iran funds and arms the group and that its members have received training from the Iranian military.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran provides 90% of Hamas’s funding.

• Lebanon – Hezbollah
  Hezbollah is Iran’s primary proxy and is actively involved in the ongoing conflict.

• Yemen
  Iran provides weapons to the Houthi groups, known as “Ansar Allah.”

• Syria
  During the Syrian Civil War, Iran supported President Bashar al-Assad.

• Iraq
  Iran supports the Nujaba Movement, a paramilitary group with significant influence in Iraq’s internal affairs.

Experts suggest Iran “supports, guides, and advises, but rarely commands.”

While Iran’s proxies have less power, they are seen as reliable. Hamas and Hezbollah do not depend on constant or direct assistance. They make their own decisions and seek Iran’s consent when needed.

The U.S. denies having evidence of such a connection.

A report by the Wall Street Journal claims the attacks were planned in Beirut by Hamas and Hezbollah, with the Iranian Foreign Minister in attendance.

However, the Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Lebanon was announced in advance, and analysts find it unlikely that Iranian media would publicize a meeting discussing an attack on Israel.