Proxy Warfare
War and Conflict in the Modern World (Series Nr. 1)
1. Edition May 2013
180 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Proxy wars represent a perennial strand in the history of conflict.
The appeal of 'warfare on the cheap' has proved an
irresistible strategic allure for nations through the centuries.
However, proxy wars remain a missing link in contemporary war and
security studies. In this timely book Andrew Mumford sheds new
light on the dynamics and lineage of proxy warfare from the Cold
War to the War on Terror, whilst developing a cogent conceptual
framework to explain their appeal.
Tracing the political and strategic development of proxy wars
throughout the last century, they emerge as a dominant
characteristic of contemporary conflict. The book ably shows how
proxy interventions often prolong existing conflicts given the
perpetuity of arms, money and sometimes proxy fighters sponsored by
third party donors. Furthermore, it emphasizes why, given the
direction of the War on Terror, the rise of China as a global
power, and the prominence now achieved by non-state actors in the
'Arab Spring', the phenomenon of proxy warfare is
increasingly relevant to understandings of contemporary security.
Proxy Warfare is an indispensable guide for students and
scholars interested in the evolution and potential future direction
of war and conflict in the modern world.
Introduction: The Rise of Proxy Wars 1
1: What is Proxy War? 11
2: Why Does Proxy War Appeal? 30
3: Who Engages in Proxy War? 45
4: How Are Proxy Wars Fought? 61
5: The Future of Proxy War 76
Conclusion: The Continuing Appeal of Proxy Warfare 97
Notes 113
Bibliography 129
Index 140
phenomenon."
LSE Review of Books
"Proxy Warfare offers a compelling survey of likely
explanations for why states and non-state actors use other parties
to influence the course and outcomes of civil and international
disputes. By separating the concept of proxy warfare from
traditional understandings of third-party intervention in conflict,
Mumford makes an important contribution to our understanding of war
and international relations."
James J. Wirtz, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School
"An original and important contribution to our understanding of
contemporary conflict and the shape of future wars."
Caroline Kennedy, University of Hull
"This crucial book brings much-needed conceptual clarification,
historical depth and empirically-grounded analysis to the
phenomenon of proxy warfare, which will undoubtedly become an
increasingly employed, yet potentially pernicious, tool of indirect
intervention in local conflicts around the globe."
Sergio Catignani, Strategy & Security Institute, Exeter
University
"The book has been carefully crafted into five chapters based
on extensive research and in-depth analysis. The author has
successfully captured the essence of proxy warfare and has been
able to put forth explanations for its causes, conduct and
consequences through number of case studies. This book will serve
well for scholars, military commanders and policymakers
alike."
Sanjiv Tomar, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New
Delhi
