ThinkTankWeekly

US-Israel war on Iran: How is Tehran's regional 'axis of resistance' responding?

Chatham House | 2026-03-19 | middle_east

Topics: Middle East

Visit original source

ThinkTankWeekly provides a curated entry and summary only. Full text and PDF remain on the publisher's website.

English Summary

The article analyzes the resilience and adaptation of Iran’s “axis of resistance” amid unprecedented US and Israeli efforts to dismantle the network and target Tehran directly. While the June 2025 conflict marked a shift toward direct Iranian action, proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis continue to survive and evolve despite sustained decapitation campaigns. The persistence of these actors implies that current containment strategies are failing to fully degrade the network, requiring a fundamental reassessment of security policies in the Middle East.

中文摘要

本文分析了在美國與以色列採取前所未有的行動試圖瓦解該網絡並直接針對德黑蘭之際,伊朗「抵抗之弧」的韌性與適應性。儘管 2025 年 6 月的衝突標誌著伊朗轉向採取直接行動,但真主黨與胡塞武裝等代理組織在持續的斬首行動下仍能生存並演變。這些行為者的持續存在顯示,目前的遏制戰略未能有效削弱該網絡,因此有必要對中東的安全政策進行根本性的重新評估。

Related Entries

  1. 1.

    Despite significant damage to its naval fleet, shipyards, and production facilities from recent strikes, Iran is expected to quickly reconstitute its military industrial base. This reconstitution relies heavily on importing dual-use components, such as machine tools, drone parts, and marine engines, through alternative routes like Pakistan or China. To counter this threat, the report advises that policymakers must extend sanctions mechanisms—particularly 'no reexport' clauses—and proactively engage third countries with direct access to Iran. Furthermore, monitoring allied firms dealing with key suppliers in China and Turkey is crucial to slowing down and raising the cost of necessary procurements.

    Read at CSIS

  2. 2.
    2026-06-26 | europe | 2026-W26 | Topics: Middle East, Nuclear, Russia, Ukraine, United States

    Ukraine demonstrates remarkable resilience and technological adaptability despite continuous Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and critical services. While Kyiv's military is adapting through innovative drone warfare and strikes, its long-term stability requires sustained international support to counter Russia’s escalating threats. Strategically, the U.S. must coordinate with key European powers (E3) due to shifting political attention, while immediately deploying negotiators to Ukraine to gain ground truth and plan for potential escalation scenarios.

    Read at Brookings

  3. 3.

    Africa's economic landscape is at a critical inflection point, shifting away from traditional foreign aid toward sophisticated commercial investment and private-sector co-investment. This transition is underpinned by major regional initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which grants African nations significant agency and negotiating leverage. Consequently, external powers must pivot their strategy from conditional development assistance to facilitating partnerships in key sectors such as digital infrastructure, energy transition, agribusiness, and critical minerals. Failure to acknowledge Africa's growing market options risks diminishing the influence of any single global partner.

    Read at CFR

  4. 4.
    2026-06-26 | economy | 2026-W26 | Topics: China, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Russia, Trade, Ukraine

    The Chatham House report warns of an imminent 'fifth mega-shock' to global food systems, driven by the convergence of geopolitical risks—such as disruptions in critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz—and resulting energy and fertilizer shortages. This vulnerability is compounded by structural weaknesses, notably the extreme concentration of staple crop reserves among a few nations, which heightens the risk of cascading inflation and widespread hunger. The analysis argues that historical shocks have failed to prompt deep systemic reforms, leaving global food security fragile and humanitarian aid strained. Policymakers must therefore urgently prioritize building resilience through supply chain diversification, avoiding nationalistic export restrictions, and coordinating international efforts to stabilize commodity markets.

    Read at Chatham House

  5. 5.
    2026-06-26 | society | 2026-W26 | Topics: United States

    Global youth activism, driven by widespread calls for change against corruption and inequality, has reached unprecedented levels across multiple continents. A Chatham House survey of over 160 young people confirms that Gen Z remains highly politically engaged and maintains a persistent hope for influencing global policy, despite recognizing significant risks. This sustained political energy indicates that youth demands are now a critical factor in assessing regional stability and governance legitimacy. Policymakers must therefore adapt to incorporate these organized voices into policy dialogue rather than treating them merely as sources of unrest.

    Read at Chatham House