by Riaan Eksteen, Ph.D.
(Emeritus Ambassador and currently Research Associate with the Department of Political Studies and Governance, Faculty: The Humanities, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein)
Copyright: @ 2026 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 9 July 2026
Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies
Note: Presented to the International Online Scientific Conference “Proxy Warfare - Proxy Wars in the Contemporary Security Environment” held online via Microsoft Teams, Warsaw, 24 June 2026.
Proxy conflicts are a critical aspect of the contemporary security landscape, since they enable states and non-state actors to achieve strategic objectives indirectly, frequently underneath the threshold of overt interstate conflict. A proxy war is a conflict in which a foreign entity aids a local state or non-state combatant to influence the outcome without direct belligerent involvement. The key concern inherent in this definition is the employment of a proxy force to further the sponsor's goals.... Read more