TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

Post-Cold War: The Rise of Covert Conflicts and Proxy Wars

TFIGLOBAL News Desk by TFIGLOBAL News Desk
September 17, 2024
in Geopolitics
Post-Cold War: The Rise of Covert Conflicts and Proxy Wars
Share on FacebookShare on X

The conclusion of the Cold War in 1991 precipitated a dramatic shift in global conflict dynamics, marking a transition from traditional open warfare to more covert forms of conflict, including cross-border skirmishes, insurgencies, and separatist violence. The bipolar world order that had kept global tensions in check began to fragment, leading to a surge in conflicts where hostile neighbors, previously deterred by the threat of superpower intervention, now felt emboldened to settle scores.

The Cold War era’s intense geopolitical rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union had created a tense division of influence, suppressing many regional conflicts and keeping them from escalating. However, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many of these latent hostilities erupted into violence, often fueled by external actors and covert operations rather than traditional, open military confrontations.

Also Read

Turkey sends military aid to Pakistan after Kashmir terror attacks, NATO ploy against India for not attacking Putin?

Pakistan tests intercontinental missiles that can target Europe and US, as Pak Army Chief rallies extremists

US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard reaches India to attend a high-level conference on intelligence

This period also saw the rise of terrorism as a key instrument in proxy wars. The same dynamics that spurred regional conflicts and insurgencies also gave rise to a new form of asymmetric warfare, where non-state actors and extremist groups began using terrorism to achieve political objectives. A notable example of this was the rise of Al-Qaeda, which became a central player in the global landscape of terrorism following the end of the Cold War.

Remarkably, Afghanistan—where the Soviet Union faced its own protracted and ultimately disastrous conflict—also became the epicenter for the rise of Al-Qaeda. In 1996, Mullah Omar, the leader of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden, the founder of Al-Qaeda. This decision had far-reaching consequences, culminating in the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. These attacks marked a significant escalation in the use of terrorism as a means of waging covert warfare, exemplifying the shift to proxy conflicts that relied on militant groups rather than traditional state militaries.

The concept of proxy wars, or asymmetric warfare, has since become a defining feature of contemporary conflicts. In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, for instance, Russia’s 2022 intervention in Ukraine was described by President Vladimir Putin as a “special operation” rather than a war, reflecting a reluctance to openly acknowledge a full-scale conflict. The response from the US-led NATO was to provide military support to Ukraine while avoiding direct troop involvement, thus keeping the conflict within a proxy framework.

Similarly, the recent military offensive by Israel in Gaza was triggered by a covert Hamas attack on October 7, which involved terrorism as a method of initiating conflict. Hamas, which has evolved from an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood into a radical Islamist group, views its struggle with Israel as a religious war rather than a mere political dispute. This has led to significant regional and global repercussions, including increased tension between Iran and Israel, as well as heightened proxy support.

The rise of drone warfare, especially following the Ukraine-Russia conflict, has further intensified cross-border proxy wars. The proliferation of drone technology, notably from Iran to various state and non-state actors, has introduced new dynamics to modern conflicts. For instance, Pakistan has been using Chinese drones to conduct covert operations against India, reflecting the broader trend of using advanced technology to extend the reach of proxy conflicts.

The end of the Cold War set the stage for a new era of covert conflicts characterized by insurgencies, terrorism, and proxy wars. This shift has led to prolonged and complex global and regional conflicts, where traditional notions of warfare are increasingly replaced by asymmetrical and covert strategies. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, exemplified by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Israel-Gaza violence, and the proliferation of drone warfare, underscore the need for careful management of these evolving threats.

Tags: Al Qaedaasymmetric warfareCold WarDrone Warfareglobal conflictinsurgenciesproxy warsregional conflictsTerrorismUkraine-Russia conflict
ShareTweetSend
TFIGLOBAL News Desk

TFIGLOBAL News Desk

Right Arm. Round the World. Fast.

Also Read

India’s S-400 System Downs Pakistani F-16 and JF-17 Jets

India’s S-400 shoot down Pakistani F-16 Fighter jet

May 8, 2025
‘Rocketman’ Kim Jong Un, unleashes ballistic missile barrage into the sea of Japan

‘Rocketman’ Kim Jong Un, unleashes ballistic missile barrage into the sea of Japan

May 8, 2025
China outmanoeuvres Trump? Albanese emerges victorious in the Australian elections

China outmanoeuvres Trump? Albanese emerges victorious in the Australian elections

May 8, 2025
China's Proxy War in South Asia: Arming Pakistan and Spreading Disinformation"

China’s Proxy War: Arming Pakistan and Misinformation Tactics

May 8, 2025
Putin’s show of strength, as global leaders gather for Victory Day Parade

Putin’s show of strength, as global leaders gather for Victory Day Parade

May 8, 2025
Global Tensions Rise as Arctic Resource Race Escalates

Global Tensions Rise as Arctic Resource Race Escalates

May 7, 2025
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.