Why Iran's Shadow Militias Are More Dangerous Than Its Army

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Who are the groups attacking Israel, targeting U.S. bases, and disrupting global shipping, and what does Iran have to do with all of it?

In this video, I break down Iran’s network of proxy militias: who they are, how they operate, and why Tehran relies on them instead of conventional military force.

We’re going to look at groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the various Shia militias operating inside Iraq. These aren’t random actors. They are part of a broader strategy that allows Iran to project power, create instability, and maintain plausible deniability—all without triggering a full-scale war.

I also dig into how Iran’s political system shapes this strategy, why proxy warfare is so effective in the “gray zone,” and why many countries in the region struggle to respond.

And yes, I’ll address the comparison everyone brings up: does the United States do the same thing? The answer is more complicated than you might think.

If you’ve ever wondered how Iran can influence events across the Middle East without directly fighting, this video will give you the framework to understand it.

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