THE GEOPOLITICS OF YEMEN CRISIS: A CASE STUDY OF IRAN'S INTEREST AND STRATEGY

Abstract

The current study explores the geopolitics of the ongoing Yemen crisis, using it as a case study to examine Iran’s interests and strategies in the region. The study aims to investigate Iran’s strategic motivations, the nature of its support for the Houthi rebels, and the broader implications for regional power dynamics, bridging an evidence-based research gap in the context of Middle Eastern geopolitics. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing content analysis of primary and secondary sources, including official statements, scholarly articles, reports, and media analyses. The analysis categorized findings into strategic considerations, regional objectives, and geopolitical implications. Findings suggest that Iran’s involvement in Yemen is driven by a combination of ideological, security, and hegemonic ambitions, significantly exacerbating regional tensions and transforming Yemen into a proxy battleground with Saudi Arabia. The study concludes that Iran’s strategy in Yemen is a calculated component of its broader pursuit of regional dominance, with complex consequences for stability in the Middle East.

Keywords: Yemen, Iran, Geopolitics, Proxy War, Houthi Rebels, Regional Security, Saudi Arabia.