Proxy war

A proxy war is defined as an armed conflict between two belligerents in which at least one party is a non-state actor, supported by an external power. The non-state actor is considered the proxy. Both parties to a proxy conflict may be considered proxies, but often, one party is a nation-state government, or conventional force. The proxies act at the instigation or on behalf of some nation state sponsor which is not directly involved in the hostilities. In order for a conflict to be considered a proxy war, there must be a direct, long-term relationship between external actors (sponsors) and their non-state clients. This relationship usually takes the form of funding, military training, arms, or other forms of material assistance which assist a belligerent party in sustaining its war effort.