16
May 2019
Past Event
Benefits and Ramifications of America’s Proxy Wars

Benefits and Ramifications of America’s Proxy Wars

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
May 16, 2019
An Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter looks over seized ISIL weapons that were found in the last stronghold of the extremist group as they were displayed at an SDF base outside Al Mayadin, Syria.
Caption
An Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter looks over seized ISIL weapons that were found in the last stronghold of the extremist group as they were displayed at an SDF base outside Al Mayadin, Syria.
16
May 2019
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:
Candace Rondeaux

Professor of Practice, School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University; and Senior Fellow, Center on the Future of War

Dr. Abbas Kadhim

Director and Resident Senior Fellow, Iraq Initiative, Atlantic Council

Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff

Research Professor, Military Profession and Ethic, Strategic Studies Institute (SSI), U.S. Army War College; Former Army Col. and Foreign Area Officer (FAO)

Hudson Institute will host a panel to discuss the benefits and ramifications of current U.S. proxy warfare campaigns. The discussion will include Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff, research professor for the Military Profession and Ethic at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute; and Dr. Abbas Kadhim, director and resident senior fellow of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council; and Candace Rondeaux, professor of practice in the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University and a senior fellow at the Center on the Future of War. Hudson Senior Fellow Michael Pregent will moderate the discussion.

Effective and ethical proxy warfare requires alignment of strategic goals between the U.S. and its proxy, but divergent interests can often arise between the two. Proxy warfare has been a commonly used tactic of American military strategy for decades, but clear examples emerge of when the strategy creates an end game that ultimately conflicts with American interests. From Afghanistan in the 1970s to Syria today, proxy warfare tends to minimize the U.S. footprint in a conflict, reducing both money spent and American lives lost. While proxy warfare can be cost effective, it raises sobering ethical questions and can have a detrimental impact on the country in which the conflict is taking place.

**NOTE: This event is open to the press. All members of the media should RSVP to [email protected].**

Related Events
02
September 2025
Virtual Event | Online Only
The Sudan Conflict: Causes, Ripple Effects, and Current Trajectory
Featured Speakers:
Susan Stigant
Ambassador Nureldin Satti
Dr. Haim Koren
Moderator:
Joshua Meservey
Getty Images
02
September 2025
Virtual Event | Online Only
The Sudan Conflict: Causes, Ripple Effects, and Current Trajectory

Hudson Institute, in collaboration with the Israel-Africa Institute, is conducting a series of webinars analyzing the East Africa region. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Susan Stigant
Ambassador Nureldin Satti
Dr. Haim Koren
Moderator:
Joshua Meservey
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Freeing China’s Political Prisoners
Featured Speakers:
Sarah Makin
Corey Jackson
Frances Hui
Jewher Ilham
Moderator:
Olivia Enos
Getty Images
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Freeing China’s Political Prisoners

Join Hudson for a discussion on the situation of political prisoners across China, what the US can do to advance their cause, and potential reforms to Washington’s political prisoner advocacy framework.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Sarah Makin
Corey Jackson
Frances Hui
Jewher Ilham
Moderator:
Olivia Enos
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Digital Front Line: Building a Cyber-Resilient Taiwan
Featured Speakers:
Jason Hsu
Congressman Rob Wittman
Admiral (Ret.) Legislator Richard YK Chen
Dr. Anshu Roy
Joseph Saunders
taiwan flag cyber
04
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Digital Front Line: Building a Cyber-Resilient Taiwan

Join Hudson Senior Fellow Jason Hsu for a discussion with Congressman Rob Wittman on the role of cyber resilience in the defense of Taiwan.

taiwan flag cyber
Featured Speakers:
Jason Hsu
Congressman Rob Wittman
Admiral (Ret.) Legislator Richard YK Chen
Dr. Anshu Roy
Joseph Saunders
09
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Southeast Europe’s Growing Role in European Energy Security
Featured Speakers:
Zhecho Stankov
Dr. Robert D. Atkinson
Marius Koeppen
Ruslan Stefanov
Moderator:
Matthew Boyse
Getty Images
09
September 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Southeast Europe’s Growing Role in European Energy Security

Join Hudson Senior Fellow Matt Boyse for an event with Bulgarian Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation President Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, and Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) Energy and Climate Program Analyst Marius Koeppen. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Zhecho Stankov
Dr. Robert D. Atkinson
Marius Koeppen
Ruslan Stefanov
Moderator:
Matthew Boyse