What exactly is the Axis of Evil?

Imagine a group of countries and organizations coming together with a shared goal: to oppose the US and Israel violently. This is exactly what’s known as the “Axis of Evil” or “Axis of Resistance.” It’s an unofficial alliance led by Iran, mainly involving Shiite organizations like Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, and others. But it doesn’t end there – Sunni organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad also join the struggle, despite religious differences, because they share anti-Western and anti-Israeli positions.

How did it all begin?

 It all started in 1979 when the Islamic Revolution in Iran transformed it from a pro-Western monarchy into an extreme Islamic state. Since then, Iran has wanted to become the major power in the region, spread its revolutionary ideas, and in the process – destroy Israel and block American influence in the Middle East. To achieve this, it invests heavily in terrorism: money, weapons, training, and even intelligence – all to support its axis partners and achieve its goals.

What is the origin of the name “Axis of Evil”?

George Bush coined the term after 9/11, referring to states that promote terrorism and develop weapons of mass destruction. The name recalls the “Axis Powers” of World War II, who joined Germany, and the “Evil Empire”—the nickname Ronald Reagan (the 40th US President) gave to the Soviet Union. Later, in 2004, the Iranians also started calling this alliance the “Axis of Resistance.”

The Axis Strategy – “Ring of Fire” Iran doesn’t stop at words. One of its central strategies is called the “Ring of Fire.” It creates fronts in various countries surrounding Israel – like Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria – aiming to weaken Israel from all directions. The idea is that at the right time, all Axis organizations will act together to attack Israel. This also helps Iran distract Israel while it continues working on its nuclear project.

How does this affect Israel? 

This axis affects Israel in almost every aspect. During Operation Swords of Iron, Iran tried to lead attacks on Israel from across the region, but the IDF managed to thwart many of these plans. Additionally, the Axis threat has prompted Israel to connect with Sunni Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE in a regional security alliance. Even in April 2024, some alliance countries helped Israel defend itself against Iranian missile attacks

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In short, the Axis of Evil isn’t just an idea – it’s a sophisticated and dangerous network that affects the stability of the security situation in the Middle East and the entire world