“Invisible Fronts”. How Hybrid and Proxy-Wars are Waged in the Middle East

Abstract

The modern Middle East remains a region where acute local hostilities persist, from the confrontation in the Gaza Strip to instability in Yemen and Iraq. At the same time, along with traditional wars, hybrid and proxy conflicts are actively unfolding here. These forms of confrontation are particularly pronounced in the relations between Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as around the actions of the United States and its partners in Syria and the Persian Gulf in the context of rivalry between regional powers using military, information and cyber tools to achieve their goals. The article analyzes the key mechanisms of hybrid conflicts in the region, from the interaction of regular armies with paramilitary groups to the use of digital technologies and disinformation companies. Special attention is paid to the role of foreign powers, which, through the support of proxy groups, pursue their own interests, contributing to the persistence of instability and fragmentation of the region. The study is based on an analysis of the dynamics of hybrid and proxy wars in the Middle East, in particular between Iran and Saudi Arabia and Israel, as well as with the participation of the United States and its partners in Syria and the Persian Gulf. These conflicts reflect a complex interweaving of global and regional interests, where State and non-State actors use military, economic, information, and cyber tools to achieve strategic goals. The hybrid nature of such wars is transforming traditional notions of sovereignty, security, and forms of violence in the region. In conclusion, it is emphasized that the “invisible fronts” will go beyond the scope of conventional military operations to a greater extent. The information space, energy infrastructure, and networks of political and economic influence are highlighted as key areas of strategic competition. Mastering and systematically understanding the logic of the functioning of these “invisible fronts” seems to be a prerequisite for the formation of comprehensive international security strategies aimed at preventing the escalation of conflicts and ensuring the stability of the regional and global system of international relations.