What are "Proxies" in Geopolitics?

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Main Story
What are “Proxies” in Geopolitics?

🔥 What's Going On

• Israel vs. Hezbollah:
  Israeli airstrikes hit a Hezbollah missile storage site in Beirut on April 27 — the third strike since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire began last year. Israel says Hezbollah keeps violating ceasefire terms.

• U.S. vs. Houthis:
  The U.S. intensified airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen after Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. A recent strike tragically hit a detention center, killing dozens of African migrants. (These strikes are what all those leaked Signal messages were about, by the way).

🧠 Explainer: What Are Proxies?

• Definition:
  Proxy warfare is when major powers support outside groups — militias, rebel forces, or political movements — to fight on their behalf without direct military involvement.

• Why It Matters:

  • Proxy warfare isn't new.

  • During the Cold War, the U.S. and Soviet Union fought "shadow wars" worldwide — backing different sides in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Latin America, and Africa.

  • Even before that, World War I was partly fueled by big powers backing smaller groups to expand influence.

• How Proxies Work:

  • Big countries provide money, weapons, training, intelligence, and political backing.

  • It lets nations expand influence, weaken rivals, and avoid risking their own troops.

• Why Fighters Join:

  • Shared ideology (political, religious, or nationalistic).

  • Access to resources (food, weapons, protection).

  • Survival in unstable regions.

• Current Examples:

  • Hezbollah (Lebanon): Backed by Iran against Israel.

  • Houthis (Yemen): Supported by Iran, attacking Red Sea shipping.

  • Eastern Ukraine separatists (pre-2022): Backed by Russia.

🧩 Pop Quiz

1. What is a proxy war?

   • A) A direct conflict between two countries

   • B) A war where major powers support other groups to fight on their behalf

   • C) A civil war within a single country

2. Which group is backed by Iran and operates in Lebanon?

   • A) Hezbollah

   • B) Houthis

   • C) Hamas

3. Name one region outside the Middle East where proxy wars have taken place.

   • A) Antarctica

   • B) Scandinavia

   • C) Latin America

Answers:

1. B

2. A

3. C

🧠 Interesting Fact

During the Cold War, the U.S. and Soviet Union were involved in over 40 proxy wars across the world — from Vietnam to Angola — without ever fighting each other directly.

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World News
Global News in 60 Seconds

In the last 3 days…

• 🇨🇦 Canada: A driver crashed into a crowd at a Filipino heritage festival in Vancouver, killing 11 people and injuring over 20. A 30-year-old man was arrested on charges. of second-degree murder. Officials are “confident” it wasn’t terrorism.

• 🇷🇺 Russia/Ukraine: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to 10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany at the end of WWII. However, Ukrainian officials criticized the move, suggesting that if Russia truly wanted peace, it should commence immediately. The U.S. has expressed impatience over the lack of progress toward a permanent resolution. ​

• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: The climate activist group Just Stop Oil has officially disbanded after the UK government agreed to cease oil and gas extraction from the North Sea. Known for their high-profile protests, including disrupting public events and vandalizing artworks, the group claimed their mission was accomplished. Their actions have sparked debates on the effectiveness and consequences of radical environmental activism. ​

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Game of the Week
Trivia Time

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