Competitive Intervention, Proxy War, and Military Assistance: Anderson, Eyre, and Kuhlman

Why It Matters

External military aid directly influences conflict length and outcome, making it a critical variable for governments and analysts shaping security policy in an increasingly multipolar arena.

Key Takeaways

• 75% of post‑WWII civil wars receive external aid
• Competitive aid halves conflict termination odds
• Weapon transfers dominate external support
• Multipolarity fuels rise in proxy wars
• Donors balance escalation to sustain conflicts

Pulse Analysis

The prevalence of external military assistance in civil wars has surged since World War II, with three‑quarters of such conflicts drawing foreign support. Scholars attribute this trend to the strategic value of proxy forces, allowing states to pursue geopolitical goals while limiting direct exposure. Weapon transfers, training, and logistical aid constitute the bulk of this assistance, creating a supply chain that can quickly alter a conflict’s balance of power. Understanding these patterns is essential for analysts who track conflict escalation and for investors monitoring regional stability risks.

Competitive intervention—where rival powers back opposing factions—introduces a distinct escalation dynamic. Empirical evidence shows that when two or more external actors supply military aid, the probability of a negotiated settlement drops by about 50 percent, extending war duration and increasing civilian casualties. Donor states often calibrate support to avoid decisive victory, preferring a stalemate that preserves strategic influence. This calculated prolongation raises profound ethical questions, as prolonged conflicts exacerbate humanitarian crises while serving the interveners’ geopolitical interests.

Looking ahead, the shift toward a multipolar international system suggests that competitive interventions and proxy wars will become more common. Emerging powers are eager to test their military capabilities and expand influence through indirect means, prompting a diversification of weapons and tactics in civil wars. Policymakers must therefore develop nuanced frameworks that balance strategic objectives with the moral costs of conflict prolongation. Strategies such as escalation control mechanisms, transparent aid reporting, and multilateral oversight could mitigate the destabilizing effects of external assistance while preserving legitimate security interests.