This strategy is based on a political, material and sometimes operational support to non-state actors, some of which may have been created by Iran, while others are occasional partners. Since its creation in the 1980’s, the main architect of this strategy is the Quds force, whose task is to coordinate and support those militia’s actions. Moreover, some particularly advanced groups, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah or the Iraqi Badr organization, took an active role in the structuration of the Iranian paramilitary network in the Middle East. After meeting undeniable success in against the Syrian insurgency, in Iraq against the Islamic State, and even in Yemen against the Saudi-led intervention, the “Axis of Resistance” is now facing major challenges: the confrontation with the United States of Donald Trump, but also the threat of a growing political and social unrest, challenging the militia system, in Iran, as well as in countries where these networks are dominant, such as Iraq and Lebanon.

This content is only available in French: L’Iran et ses “proxys” au Moyen-Orient. Les défis de la guerre par procuration.