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Cost-Effective: Proxy wars are a cost-effective way for nations to pursue their interests
without incurring the direct costs and risks of military action. They can mobilize and support
proxy forces at a fraction of the cost of deploying their own troops.
Deniability: One of the key advantages of proxy wars is that they allow nations to maintain
deniability. They can deny any direct involvement in the conflict, making it difficult for other
nations to hold them accountable for the actions of their proxy forces.
Political and Diplomatic Leverage: By supporting proxy forces, nations can exert significant
political and diplomatic leverage over other nations. For example, a nation may use its proxy
forces to shape the outcome of elections, secure access to resources, or exert control over
strategic locations.
Avoidance of International Law: By relying on proxy forces, nations can avoid the constraints
of international law, such as the Geneva Conventions, which regulate the conduct of
warfare. This allows them to pursue their interests in ways that would otherwise be
prohibited.
Low Risk: Proxy wars present relatively low risks to the sponsoring nations. If the proxy
forces are defeated, the sponsoring nation can simply withdraw its support, leaving the
proxy forces to bear the consequences of their actions. This allows nations to pursue their
interests with limited risk to their own forces.
Minimizing Casualties: By relying on proxy forces, nations can reduce the number of
casualties among their own military personnel. This is particularly important for nations with
limited resources or political concerns about the impact of military casualties on public
opinion.
Technological Advances: Warfare has evolved dramatically over the centuries due to
advancements in technology. From the invention of firearms and tanks to the development
of drones and cyberwarfare, technology has changed the way wars are fought and has
increased the destructive potential of military forces
Changing Strategic Objectives: The objectives of warfare have changed over time, reflecting
the changing political and economic landscape. For example, in the past, wars were often
fought over territory and resources, while today they are more likely to be fought over
ideology or influence.
The Role of Non-State Actors: The role of non-state actors in warfare has grown in recent
years, with groups such as terrorists and militias playing a significant role in conflicts around
the world. This has challenged traditional notions of warfare and has forced nations to adapt
their military strategies to address these new threats.
The Impact of Globalization: The rise of globalization has changed the nature of warfare,
with conflicts increasingly having global implications and affecting multiple countries and
regions. This has made it more difficult for nations to isolate themselves from the
consequences of war and has increased the need for international cooperation in addressing
conflicts.
The Evolution of Military Doctrine: The development of new military doctrines, such as
asymmetric warfare, has reflected the changing nature of warfare. These doctrines are
designed to address the challenges posed by new forms of conflict and to enhance the
effectiveness of military forces in achieving their objectives.
The Importance of Intelligence: The role of intelligence in warfare has become increasingly
important, with intelligence gathering and analysis playing a key role in shaping military
strategy and decision-making. The development of new technologies, such as artificial
intelligence, is further transforming the intelligence landscape and shaping the evolution of
warfare.
Mobilization of Public Opinion: The protests against the Vietnam War helped to mobilize
public opinion against the conflict, highlighting the human cost of the war and the lack of
progress being made. This helped to create a groundswell of opposition to the war and put
pressure on political leaders to change their stance.
Raising Awareness: The protests brought the issue of the war to the forefront of public
discourse, raising awareness about the consequences of the conflict and the impact it was
having on soldiers, their families, and the wider population. This helped to shift public
opinion and make the war a more prominent political issue.
Political Pressure: The protests put political pressure on leaders, both in the United States
and internationally, to reconsider their support for the war. This pressure was exerted
through various channels, including mass demonstrations, lobbying, and media campaigns,
and helped to create a sense of urgency around the need for change.
Impact on the Military: The protests also had a direct impact on the military, as soldiers and
veterans became involved in the movement and spoke out against the war. This helped to
create a sense of moral and ethical opposition to the conflict and made it more difficult for
leaders to sustain the war effort.
Economic Costs: The protests brought attention to the economic costs of the war,
highlighting the impact it was having on national budgets and the broader economy. This
helped to create a sense of fiscal responsibility and made it more difficult for leaders to
justify continued support for the conflict.
Global Momentum: The protests against the Vietnam War helped to create a global
momentum for peace, as anti-war movements developed in other countries and people
around the world began to demand an end to the conflict. This helped to create a sense of
international pressure and made it more difficult for leaders to sustain the war effort.
Since Vietnam, the evolution of war weapons has allowed people to conduct war remotely.
Though ground forces still play a role in battle, many pieces of military technology allow war
to be waged from a distance. Some of these top pieces of military technology include:
Drones
o Thousands of miles away from battlefields, troops can deploy and pilot combat
drones that fly into combat zones. These drones can be used for reconnaissance,
airstrikes and various other purposes. Some popular models include the General
Atomics Avenger and the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle. The Avenger features an electro-
optical targeting system, internal weapons storage and S-shaped exhaust, making it
a deadly weapon. The ScanEagle is perfect for reconnaissance and surveying the
battlefield.
Tomahawk Missiles
o First used in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Tomahawk cruise missiles fly at
subsonic speeds at low altitudes to allow them to attack a wide swath of surface
targets. These missiles are jet engine-powered and utilize GPS receivers for
extremely accurate targeting. The missiles are so advanced that they can be
redirected to different coordinates even after launch.
Space Weapons
o Developed during the Cold War, space weapons allow countries to shoot a range of
warheads from space to targets on Earth, destroy satellites or space systems in orbit
and disable enemy missiles that might be traveling through space as well. Major
military powers have developed space weapons that can even destroy enemy
satellites.
1. Korea War
2. Cuba
3. Vietnam
4. Congo
5. Angola
6. Afghanistan