The Axis of Resistance: Genesis and Sustainability in Light of the Islamic Revolution and the Soleimani School

The Axis of Resistance in West Asia has emerged as a strategic phenomenon reshaping the region’s political and security equations. This study examines the formative impact of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on this framework and the central role of Major General Qassem Soleimani’s doctrine (“Maktab‑e Soleimani”) in consolidating and sustaining it. Employing a descriptive–analytical approach grounded in library and documentary research and discourse analysis, the article unpacks the conceptual and operational linkages between the Revolution’s ideals and the Axis’s strategic architecture. The Islamic Revolution articulated a novel discourse rooted in anti‑imperialism, defense of the oppressed, rejection of domination, and unity of the Islamic Ummah, providing an ideological foundation and spiritual catalyst for the Axis’s emergence. Soleimani operationalized this paradigm through a network‑centric power architecture, empowerment of indigenous actors, strategic integration of battlefield and diplomacy, and adept management of hybrid warfare. These mechanisms transformed disparate movements into a cohesive and resilient bloc, capable of converting existential threats—such as takfiri terrorism—into opportunities to deepen strategic depth. The study finds that the Axis of Resistance is a direct outcome of the Islamic Revolution’s transnational projection, and its endurance, particularly after Soleimani’s assassination, stems from the institutionalization of his doctrine. This framework has elevated the resistance from reliance on individual leadership to a self‑sustaining intellectual and operational institution, creating a dynamic and regenerative strategic depth that continues to define the Axis’s regional relevance and adaptability.