«——【Preamble】】 ——»
During the Cold War, in order to counter the expansion of the Soviet Union, the United States made extensive use of the "proxy war" model around the world and achieved a series of strategic goals.
This model supports and nurtures specific regional forces to act as "pawns" of the United States, carrying out military operations in specific regions on behalf of the United States in order to achieve the geopolitical demands of the United States.
«——【U.S. Proxy Warfare Means·】——»
The "proxy war" model has the characteristics of low input costs, low risks, and large returns, and was once regarded by the United States as an important tool to maintain its global hegemony.
From the Korean War to the Vietnam War, from the Afghanistan War to the Iraq War, the United States has made extensive use of the "proxy war" model in these regional wars, safeguarding the global interests of the United States to a certain extent.
Once upon a time, "proxy wars" were an important means for the United States to maintain its hegemony on a global scale. This strategic model allows the United States to achieve its global strategic goals at the lowest cost.
However, with the evolution of the international situation, this usual trick of the United States is facing unprecedented challenges. On the battlefield in Ukraine, the powerful counterattack of the Russian army has put the Ukrainian government, a proxy of the United States, in a difficult position.
The Zelensky regime has had to frequently put pressure on the United States to provide more military and economic assistance. Although the United States ostensibly claims to be firmly supportive of Ukraine.
In reality, however, they have been stingy on the issue of aid. The Ukraine crisis has become a bargaining chip in the partisan struggle in the United States, affecting the strength of American support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy complained about this, accusing the United States of indecision at a critical moment that threatens Ukraine's ability to confront Russia.
«——[Israel asks the United States for help]——»
The situation in the Middle East is similarly not encouraging. Israel, the most important U.S. proxy in the region, is facing unprecedented pressure from Iran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has recently launched large-scale air strikes that have severely damaged multiple military targets on the Israeli mainland, and Israel's purported powerful air defense system has failed to intercept Iranian missiles and drones.
In the face of Iran's aggressive offensive, Israel has fought back, but with little success. Israel had to turn to the United States for more support.
However, Israel's military operations in Gaza, especially against civilians, have sparked strong discontent among the population in the United States.
The U.S. government is troubled by this, but it has no choice but to continue to support Israel due to pressure from pro-Israel forces at home. The Israel issue has become a quagmire from which the United States cannot get out of the Middle East.
There are several reasons for America's current predicament. First of all, with the development of third world countries, their comprehensive strength is no longer what it used to be.
These countries are no longer lambs to be slaughtered, but forces capable of defending their own interests. They are becoming more and more dissatisfied with the hegemonic behavior of the United States, and they have begun to huddle together to warm up and jointly resist the pressure of the United States.
Second, the United States itself faces a number of internal problems. Slowing economic growth, intensifying social contradictions, and serious political divisions have consumed a lot of energy in the United States.
Make it difficult to focus on external challenges. Finally, the rise of great powers, represented by China and Russia, has provided a new choice for the vast number of third world countries.
They provide political, economic, and military support to third world countries to help them enhance their own strength and resist US hegemony.
The U.S. "proxy war" model has many drawbacks. As the war continues, the cost of U.S. input in Ukraine and the Middle East is getting higher, but the results are limited.
The stalemate on the battlefield in Ukraine and Israel's excesses in Gaza have seriously damaged the reputation of the United States in the international community.
The US military-industrial complex, for a variety of reasons, has been unable to meet the needs of weapons for proxy wars. The U.S. military industry has insufficient production capacity.
The monopoly of key military technology by a small number of companies and the serious problem of corruption in the military industry have seriously affected the military superiority of the United States.
«——【·U.S. Cooperation with Other Countries·】——»
Looking ahead, the future of the "proxy war" model in the United States is worrying. The Israeli issue has become a major burden of the US Middle East strategy.
The United States cannot afford to abandon Israel, but it can hardly afford to support Israel. The defeat on the battlefield in Ukraine has triggered a crisis of confidence among the European allies of the United States.
If the United States is unable to help Ukraine win the war, then its influence in Europe will be seriously weakened.
If the problem of corruption in the US military-industrial complex is not fundamentally resolved, the US military superiority will be further lost.
In short, the failure of the "proxy war" in the United States is due not only to the changes in the international situation, but also to the impact of the problems of the United States itself.
This model, which once made the United States cry around the world, is now a strategic burden for it. The United States should seriously reflect on its foreign strategy, abandon unilateralism and hegemonic thinking, and act on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
Cooperate with other countries to address global challenges. Only in this way can the United States find a way out of its current predicament, reshape its international image, and safeguard its own long-term interests.
«——【·Conclusion·】——»
The failure of the "proxy war" model in the United States marks the end of the era of unilateralism and hegemonist thinking in the United States. This reliance on force and the manipulation of proxies is no longer viable.
The war in Ukraine and the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East have fully exposed the shortcomings of the "proxy war" model of the United States.
The frequent failures of U.S. proxies in these regions have not only damaged America's reputation and influence in the international community, but also cost the United States dearly economically, politically.
The deep-seated reasons for this situation are not only the changes in the international balance of power, but also some problems in the United States itself.
The rise of third world countries has provided a new option for the vast number of developing countries to get rid of the control of the United States; However, the slowdown in economic growth, the intensification of social contradictions, and the serious political division in the United States have consumed a lot of energy and affected the ability of the United States to cope with external challenges.
Looking ahead, the future of the "proxy war" model in the United States is worrying. The Israel issue has become a major burden of the US Middle East strategy, and the defeat on the battlefield in Ukraine has triggered a crisis of confidence among the US European allies.
If the United States is unable to help Ukraine win the war, its influence in Europe will decline further. In addition, the problem of corruption of the US military-industrial complex will also further weaken the US military superiority.
In the face of these severe challenges, the United States needs to seriously reflect on its diplomatic strategy, abandon unilateralism and hegemonic thinking, and strengthen dialogue and cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
Tackling global challenges together. Only in this way can the United States find a way out of its current predicament, reshape its international image, and safeguard its long-term interests.
Information sources:
A Game of Control and Autonomy: America's Middle East Proxy War and Its Dilemma Beijing Daily