Rethinking the Proxy Warfare: A Case Study of Iran-Houthi Relationship

Date

2026-9-9

Author

Elif, Algiş

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Proxy warfare has become one of the concepts widely used to explain indirect conflicts since the Cold War period. However, recently, the relations between states and nonstate actors have become complex, multi-layered and based on mutual dependence, which has brought about significant debates regarding the explanatory nature of the traditional proxy warfare approach. Therefore, by examining the relationship between Iran and the Houthis as a case study, this thesis questions the extent to which this relationship can be explained by the traditional proxy warfare framework and suggests asymmetric alliance network as a conceptual lens explain this relationship more comprehensively. In this context, the state-centric and hierarchical assumptions of the proxy war literature were evaluated from a critical perspective, and the historical development and current dynamics of the Iran-Houthi relationship were analysed. The findings show that, despite the power asymmetry between the two actors, this situation does not indicate a one-sided hierarchical control relationship. It is revealed that the relationship is shaped within the framework of a broader regional network with common threat perceptions, intersection of strategic interests and interdependence, rather than a traditional proxy relationship.

Subject Keywords

Proxy Warfare, Iran, Houthis, Yemen, Non-State Actors

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/120668

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis