Iran, the “Resistance Front” and the New World Order: Summary of a conference held at the Iran Supreme National Defense University (Dr. Raz Zimmt)

Overview

• On May 10 and 11, 2023, the International Conference on New World Order Geometry was held at the Supreme National Defense University (SNDU) in Tehran. The SNDU is a senior military-academic institution subordinate to the general staff of the Iranian armed forces dedicated to doctoral-level work on military doctrine, applied defense sciences and management. According to Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam, the university president and former commander of Iran’s law enforcement forces, the idea for the conference originated in statements made by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei regarding the need to learn the lessons of the war in Ukraine and the changes occurring in the world order. Forty-six scientific centers from 11 countries participated in the conference (defapress.ir, May 10, 2023).

• Speeches given at the conference by officials and high-ranking figures from Iran and the “resistance axis” revealed the current concepts held by the Islamic Republic and the “resistance axis” regarding the changes occurring in the world order and their influence on the Muslim world in general, and the Middle East in particular. The main themes of the speeches were as follows:
  • The world, which turned from bipolar to unipolar after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, has now become multipolar as the United States has lost its hegemonic status. It is currently decaying, growing significantly weaker, and becoming more isolated than ever before.
  • Israel is also experiencing a decline due to increasing pressure from the “resistance front” and the country’s current critical internal crisis.
  • Global changes and the emerging new world order can potentially be exploited by the Muslim world and the “resistance front.” In light of the developments, the Muslim world must recognize its strength and demonstrate greater solidarity to become a significant force within the new world order. In addition, Middle Eastern countries must resolve their disputes to advance and develop without foreign intervention.
  • The “resistance axis” and the Palestinians are growing stronger, and the regional balance of power is shifting in favor of Iran and its allies. However, the various components of the “resistance axis” should enhance coordination, cooperation and mutual commitment to improve their ability to address internal and external challenges.
•  Iran has the potential to play a central role in the new world order due to its capabilities, resources and geographical location. However, its ability to strengthen its regional and international status depends not only on its military might, but also on its “soft power,” including its economic, scientific and cultural capabilities.

• Iran’s recognition of the recent changes in the world order is not new, and the Iranian supreme leader himself has addressed this issue on multiple occasions in the past. In April 2022, Khamenei called for a thorough examination of the war in Ukraine in the context of the formation of the new world order. He emphasized that all countries, including Iran, needed to safeguard their interests and security within the new order through both “hard” and “soft presence” (Iran’s supreme leader’s website, April 26, 2022).
• In a speech given in November 2022 for Iran’s “National Day against Global Arrogance”, he stated that the United States was no longer the dominant force in the world and that the world order was undergoing a transformation. He highlighted three prominent features of the new world order:

• • The isolation of the United States, which would be compelled to cease intervening in global affairs and abandon its military bases, including those in the Middle East.
  • The shift of political, economic and cultural power from the West to Asia, which would become the new center of information, economic activity, and political influence.
  • The expansion of the idea of “resistance” and “the resistance front”, with an increasing number of people in the region identifying themselves with the “resistance front” and expressing their readiness to oppose the West. Iran, as the initiator of the “resistance front,” has the potential to attain exceptional status in the new world order due to its human capital, natural resources, and strategically important geographical location, positioned between east and west, north and south (Iran’s supreme leader’s website, November 2, 2023).
• The main themes expressed by the speakers at the conference were similar to Khamenei’s and reflected an increasing sense of Iranian confidence. They relied on factors such as the assessment that the United States and its allies, especially Israel, were in decline, while the Islamic Republic and its partners in the “resistance axis” were growing stronger. Iran perceives the current international developments as an opportunity for a multipolar world order that is not led by America, where it can assume a more significant role alongside its allies in the “resistance front” and its international partners, particularly Russia and China. From Tehran’s perspective, the shifting balance of power enhances its ability to challenge the regional and even the global status quo.

Appendix: Speeches Given at the Conference

Mohammed Baqeri, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces

• Baqeri discussed the changes in the world order, stating that during the 20^th century, the Western and Eastern blocs engaged in two world wars to pursue their interests. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the unipolar world collapsed, leading to fluctuations in the world order that have yet to stabilize. He emphasized the significance of China’s economic strength, its rise as the world’s foremost economic power, its extensive investments in Asia, Africa and Europe, and its increased military capabilities as key indicators of the evolving world order. Additionally, Bagheri highlighted that Russia, too, did not rely on the West and was prepared to take a stance against the eastward expansion of NATO, even if it meant resorting to war.
• Baqeri emphasized that the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 was an immensely significant event and one of the main reasons why the United States was unable to impose its complete dominance on the world. He referred to the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq, saying that the hasty retreat, despite the substantial investment made by the United States, which failed to yield desired results, revealed the weakness of the American military. The American attempt to establish total global leadership had failed, resulting in a reduction of American military forces in Western Asia and a confused foreign policy. Consequently, the United States is currently weaker and more isolated than ever before.
• Regarding Israel, Baqeri asserted that it was experiencing a decline and facing fundamental problems of various kinds. Conversely, he claimed that the Palestinian people and the “resistance axis” were at the peak of their power, progressing towards the “liberation of Palestine.” He said Iran was providing all possible assistance to the Palestinian people.
•  Baqeri also added that Iran possessed unique potential to enhance its position within the global power hierarchy by virtue of its geographical location and natural resources. By improving relations with its neighbors and maintaining a firm stance against “American aggression”, Iran was able to enhance its military deterrence and establish a solid security shield (defapress.ir, May 10, 2023).

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaker of the Majlis

• Qalibaf stated that the researchers and experts were in complete agreement regarding the changes in the world order, despite differing opinions on the specific characteristics of the changes and Asia’s potential to lead in the political, economic and cultural aspects of a multipolar world. He emphasized that the highest priority of the Muslim world was to enhance coordination and solidarity among Muslims spanning from East Asia to West Africa within the new world order. Furthermore, said Muslims needed to strive towards augmenting their respect and sense of pride.
• Qalibaf added that Iran’s enemies aimed to isolate the country , but its strength and influence would prevent such isolation. . He highlighted the importance of strengthening the Iranian economy, as the enemies of the “resistance front” and Muslim countries employed economic tactics against them.. He further noted that the” illegitimate presence” of the “Zionist regime” in the Middle East added complexity to the situation, as they sought to portray Iran as the enemy of regional states and Muslims. Iran needed to focus on enhancing the cohesion among Islamic states, the Islamic Revolution, and the “resistance front,” particularly in the areas of trade and economy (defapress.ir, May 10, 2023).

Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei and former chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

• Safavi highlighted several factors that indicated the shift of power from the West to the East. They included the rivalry between China and Russia against the United States, the eastward expansion of NATO, the failure of the American occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the extensive sanctions imposed on Iran, Russia and China, the emergence of ISIS, the increasing strength of countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the war in Ukraine, and the Taiwan crisis. According to Safavi, the developments signified a gradual transition y towards a new world order and were reflected in the changing balance of power. The key question posed was whether the Muslim world possessed the material and intellectual capabilities required to serve as the central global force in the new era.
• He highlighted several significant strengths of the Muslim world, including its vast territory, the increasing number of Muslims worldwide, the pivotal role of the Muslim world in global geopolitical developments, the membership of Muslim states in international organizations, Muslim control over several key straits (such as Gibraltar, Suez, Bab al-Mandeb, Hormuz, the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles and Malacca), and Muslim influence in the global energy market. Recognizing the power, he asserted that the Muslim world should gradually emerge as a new global force capable of competing with Western and Eastern powers on geopolitical, geostrategic, geoeconomic, and geocultural levels. However, the crucial factor in transforming the Muslim world into a significant force within the new world order was the acknowledgment of the capabilities of the Muslim states and their societies to generate collective benefit from their wide culture and civilization. (defapress.ir, May 10, 2023).

Kamal Kharazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Affairs and former foreign minister

• Kharazi stated that Iran had successfully expanded its defensive military capabilities, developed advanced smart weapons without foreign support, and utilized its military power to safeguard its independence and security, combat terrorism, and confront foreign powers. However, he emphasized that Iran’s efforts did not solely focus on enhancing its “hard” power, but also extended to the development of its economic, political, cultural, media, scientific, and technological power. According to him, only through the intelligent combination of hard, semi-hard and soft power could the country ensure its superiority. Kharazi provided evidence for his claim by referring to the Soviet Union, China and North Korea. He pointed out that the disintegration of the Soviet Union demonstrated that military might alone was insufficient. Similarly, China could not effectively confront the United States until it attained economic, scientific, technological, and media superiority. On the other hand, although North Korea possessed considerable military power, including nuclear weapons, it lacked economic, cultural, and technological strength, thus limiting its ability to play a significant role in the new world order.
•  Kharazi said Iran aimed to enhance regional cooperation, which had thus far been marred by rivalry, primarily due to the interference of foreign powers seeing to sow discord among states for their own gain. However, he noted a growing inclination towards cooperation and the resolution of disputes without external interference. The objective was to establish regional structures which could propel the region towards development, progress, and independence (defapress.ir, May 11, 2023).

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council

• Shamkhani said the new world order presented both significant opportunities and threats, as it had the potential to lead to the collapse of countries. Whether it would be an opportunity or a threat depended on the level of preparedness to face global developments, and Iran needed to improve its resilience in order to effectively resist the challenges. While the current circumstances could benefit the “resistance axis,” he cautioned against transforming the doctrine of resistance into a doctrine of control, as any alteration of the doctrine could cause result in harm (defapress.ir, May 11, 2023).

Abdel Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, chief of the Syrian Army General Staff

• Ibrahim asserted that the sacrifices of the martyrs during the Syrian Civil War marked the beginning of a new world order which would ultimately bring an end to the unilateral control of the United States over the world. Despite the United States’ attempts to make the countries of the Middle East dependent on the West by changing their regimes, its objective was never achieved. Syria and Iran, through their resolute resistance against oppressive forces, achieved a significant victory for independent countries and reshaped the international relations landscape.
•  Furthermore, Ibrahim highlighted Russia’s unwavering commitment to its principles and positions, even in the face of war and American sanctions. Russia continued to support the “resistance axis” and Syria. He noted the importance of drawing on the experiences of the “resistance front,” emphasizing that the alliance between Iran and Syria formed a highly important “resistance axis.” He added that the cooperation between their leaders was a significant factor in ensuring political and regional existence and instituting a strategic regional balance. He also praised the reestablishment of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that the West was unable to fulfill its plan for global dominance.

Hassan Izz al-Din, envoy of Hezbollah’s secretary general and a member of the Lebanese Parliament

• Izz al-Din asserted that Russia, China and the Middle Eastern countries would play a significant role in the future of the world. He highlighted the decline of America’s regional and international influence. He said that the Americans had been forced to leave Afghanistan and all their plans had failed despite their investment of billions of dollars. Additionally, the United States’ attempts to use sanctions to prevent the Russians from continuing the war in Ukraine and impose sanctions on Iran had also proved unsuccessful. In contrast, the military strength of the Islamic Republic had only grown stronger. .
• Izz al-Din regarded the “Greater Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates” project a complete failure. He emphasized the resilience of the Lebanese people against the siege and sanctions imposed by the United States, while the “Zionist regime” lacked the courage to initiate another war against Lebanon. Regarding the Palestinian situation, Izz al-Din referred to Jerusalem and the West Bank as the “Palestinian shield,” highlighting that the peoples of the region were at the forefront of defending the Palestinian ideals. He emphasized that crucial role of the Palestinian “resistance” within the broader “resistance axis,” and noted that Israel was currently facing one of the most dangerous internal crises in its history.
• Izz al-Din emphasized the importance of recognizing the might and influence of the “resistance axis.”. He pointed out that thirty years ago, the United States was the global leader, and Saudi Arabia was considered “the guardian of the holy shrines” and the Muslims’ representative. However, Saudi Arabia now understood that the United States’ power was declining, and it was unable to meet its needs.
• Izz al-Din stressed the need for increased cohesion among the members of the “resistance axis”. He said every region of the “resistance axis” required a greater effort. For example, while the political and military situation in Syria was improving, it still faced significant pressures that needed to be alleviated. . Iraq required special attention, Lebanon remained l under siege and sanctions, and Yemen faced substantial challenges that needed to be closely monitored to prevent the achievement of Saudi Arabia’s goals through political means, since they were not achieved through war. He expressed confidence that the strength of the “resistance axis” was growing, with hundreds of thousands of fighters from the countries within the “resistance front ” prepared to join the battlefield in the next significant war to liberate “Palestine.” He considered the fall of the “Zionist regime” as a possibility, and believed that once it occurred, the power and influence of the United States would come to an end (SNDU website, May 14, 2023).

Ziyad al-Nakhalah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad secretary general

• Al-Nakhalah stated in a recorded speech that the Islamic Republic had a responsibility to defend itself. He emphasized that it was not only crucial for the Islamic Republic but also necessary for all oppressed people who had suffered throughout history from colonialism, control and exploitation. He said the jihad of the Palestinian people, which had persisted for the past hundred years, represented the aspirations of all those around the globe who sought freedom and resisted all forms of colonialism. (SNDU website, May 14, 2023).

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