Jus Ad Bellum and the Implications for Proxy Warfare

This chapter applies the conditions of jus ad bellum (the justice of war) to understanding proxy war’s unique obligations, permissions, and prohibitions. Since proxy wars are wars, moral analysis should start with the traditional Just War Theory provisions of jus ad bellum, including just cause, proportionality, right intention, right authority, last resort, and reasonable chance of success. In particular, this section will examine how the introduction of the sponsor complicates applying these conditions. For some, the proxy must fulfill them by itself. The intervention of a sponsor will not make an unjust cause just, an illegitimate authority legitimate, or a wrong intention right. In this regard, the proxy must meet these conditions before a sponsor may morally intervene. However, the intervention of a sponsor can make war more likely as well as more destructive. Thus, its reasons for intervention are separately subject to moral evaluation, even when the war for the proxy is just. Furthermore, the sponsor’s involvement can potentially affect proportionality calculations, making ends and means that may otherwise be disproportionate become proportionate and vice versa. Moreover, such intervention can make alternatives to fighting less appealing, impacting what counts as last resort, and affecting a proxy’s calculations regarding its chances for success.