Week 5: Proxy Wars
Non-Ideological Interventions
“My enemy’s enemy is my friend”
● Ogaden War (1977-1978)
US supports Maoists in Somalia
● Iran-Iraq War(1980-1988)
○ Both US and USSR support Saddam Hussein.
Ogaden: Sino-Soviet Split
● Chinese mainland becomes communist in
1949 under Mao Zedong.
● Diverge from Soviet model
○ Still dependent on industrial aid
● Denunciation and split in 1959.
Border War in 1969
● Chinese demand return of
border territories.
● China initiates conflict.
● Soviets respond, imply
larger war.
Chinese Rapprochement with US
● China sees USSR as
primary security threat.
● Tacit alliance with US after
1972.
Ethiopian Revolution
● Ruled by Emperor Haile
Selassie until 1974.
● Selassie overthrown by
Army officers (Derg).
Internal Fighting in Derg
● Marxists prevail by 1977.
● Seek Soviet aid and support.
● Soviets support Somalia prior to 1977.
Why were the Soviets reluctant to
support the Derg? What changed
their minds?
Why were the Soviets reluctant to
support the Derg?
● Division in the Derg.
● Support in rival Somalia
What changed their minds?
● Mengistu’s rise to power.
● Somali distance.
Somalia under Siad Barre
● Took power in coup in
1969.
● Maoist leaning.
● Soviet-backed until
1977.
Somalia supports WSLF
● Barre seeks Greater Somalia
● Supports Western Somali
Liberation Front in Ogaden in
revolt.
● Somali troops join fighting
Soviets back Mengistu; US and
China support Somalia
● Soviet aid flows to new
government in Ethiopia.
● Somalia invades with US
and Chinese support
The Ogaden War
Supported by:
Course of the War
● Initial success for Somalia
● Soviet, Cuban and South
Yemeni troops intervene.
● Somali troops expelled
Post-Ogaden War
Ethiopia
Somalia
● 15-year civil war
● Mengistu overthrown in
1991.
● Federal state
established.
● Barre overthrown after
civil war.
● State collapse and
disintegration.
Ba’athist Iraq
● Secular nationalist Ba’ath
(renaissance) Party comes to
power in coup.
● Dominated by Sunni Arabs.
● Saddam Hussein absolute
ruler by 1978.
Saddam’s Rule
● Cult of personality
● Shia opposition
● Soviet client state
Iranian Revolution
● Opposition to Shah’s rule
widespread.
● Protests in 1977 and 1978.
● Shah overthrown by
coalition in 1979.
Ayatollah Khomeini establishes
theocracy
Iraq invades Iran; why?
Iraq invades Iran; why?
● Threat from Shia theocracy.
● Expansion of territory; oil
reserves.
● Uniting domestic opponents.
Both US and USSR initially neutral
Why?
Both US and USSR initially neutral
US
● Courted Iran
● Distrust Iraq
USSR
● Also, courted Iran
Iran recovers; invades Iraq in 1982
Military Support to Warring Parties
US and USSR back Iraq; Why?
US
US and USSR back Iraq; Why?
US
● Contain spread of
Shia theocracy.
● Hostage crisis in
Lebanon.
USSR
US and USSR back Iraq; Why?
US
USSR
● Contain spread of
Shia theocracy.
● Anti-communism in
Iran.
● Retain influence in
Middle East.
● Unrest in Soviet
Central Asia +
Afghanistan
● Hostage crisis in
Lebanon.
Iran-Iraq War: devastating stalemate
● No territorial
changes.
● Almost 1 million
dead (soldiers +
civilians)
Effects
● Emboldened Iraq invades
Kuwait.
● Shia uprising in Iraq after
Gulf War.
● Regional Sunni-Shia schism.
Discussion
Did superpowers obtain favorable outcomes
from using proxies? Short term? Long term?
Are there problems in using proxy
armies/states?
If so, would these problems have occurred
without superpower intervention?
Summary
● Ideology dissipates by 1970s and 1980s.
● Both superpowers willing to support
ideological antagonists or mutual friends.
● Proxy wars are instrumental
Next Week:
Military Action: The Good
+
Proposals due on November 8