The Interminable Yemen Crisis: Saudi-Iranian Regional Conflict and Absence of Cooperation

Abstract

In the region of Middle East, two of the powerful regional states are engaged in a hegemonic power competition which is often referred to as proxy war. Saudi Arabia and Iran both support different states in various conflicts in the Middle East depending upon their interests. The civil war in Yemen was initially a domestic conflict between local actors, but it quickly aggravated and regional powers started to exercise their influence making it another addition in the proxy war. This research paper aims to explore that even after 5 years the crisis is still ongoing and the regional powers, despite the deteriorating humanitarian crisis, have yet to come to cooperative terms. This paper aims to highlight the factors that are hindering cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.