The topic of proxy war is currently subject to intense debate with reference to US, British and Israeli accusations that Iran is sponsoring subversive and insurgent movements from Lebanon to Afghanistan; contemporary academic and media controversies over the effect of international assistance to the Afghan mujahidin in the subsequent destabilisation of the country; and the contentious circumstances surrounding the Russo-Georgian war of 2008, and the ‘independence’ of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. While there is no shortage of academic literature dealing with specific cases of proxy warfare, there is no work providing an overarching analysis of the factors which lead to this type of conflict, or the potential consequences for the states concerned, the non-state proxies and their external patrons.

Originally published in hardcover in 2012.

Introduction -- The characteristics and causes of proxy warfare -- The consequences of proxy warfare -- Angola, 1974-1991 -- Lebanon, 1975-1990 -- Afghanistan, 1978-1992 -- Conclusions -- Glossary -- Map sources.