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What ‘Resistance’ Has Brought the Middle East

Isaac Babus

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Hard and Soft Power of the Islamic Regime:

Hard Power:

  • Provided ~$16-20 billion USD annually to various proxy militias and regimes throughout the Middle East.

Soft Power:

  • Invests heavily in the healthcare, cultural, and educational sectors of surrounding countries as well as the United States.

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Assad and Iranian Relationship:

  • The Assad regime received $16 billion USD annually from the IRI before it fell to Syrian rebels in December, 2024.

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Assad and Iranian Relationship:

  • The Assad regime received $16 billion USD annually from the IRI before it fell to Syrian rebels in December, 2024.

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Impact on Syrians:

  • From 2011 to 2024, the Syrian Network for Human Rights estimates that the Assad regime:
    • Killed 202,000 civilians.
    • Forcibly disappeared 96,321 people.
    • Tortured 15,102 people to death.

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  • The conflict has internally displaced 6.8 million Syrians with an additional 7 million seeking refuge abroad.

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Hezbollah – A State Within a State:

  • Created by the IRI in 1982.
    • Given $800 million USD annually.

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  • Controlled all ports, borders, and airports.
    • This allowed for drug and arms smuggling.
    • Free movement for those in Hezbollah and Iranian government.

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Raghida Dergham

Founder of the Beirut Institute

“Beirut the capital finally assassinated. Now, Lebanon’s assassination has begun. The disobedient Lebanese may be left with only one of two choices, bear the cost of capitulation and assassination, or take the costly path of confrontation to reconquer life.”

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Houthis and the Red Sea:

  • Since November 2023, the Houthis have attacked over 100 ships in the Red Sea.

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  • 12-15% of world trade goes through the Suez Canal.

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The Conflict in Yemen:

  • The UN estimated that by the end of 2021, the conflict between the Houthis and the recognized Yemeni government would be responsible for 377,000 deaths with 15.6 million living in extreme poverty.

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Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces:

  • June 2014:
    • ISIS captures Mosul.
    • Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issues fatwa for Iraqis to fight ISIS.
    • Shia militias loyal to Iran alongside some followers of Sistani become the PMF.

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  • 2016:
    • PMF Commission Law formalizes PMF as a paramilitary group that reports to Iraqi PM, separate from army.

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Is Iraq Following in Lebanon’s Footsteps?:

  • Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, PMF Chief of Staff (until his assassination in 2020) served Qasem Soleimani.
    • Current Chair of the Popular Mobilization Commission, Faleh al-Fayyadh cooperates with Iran.
    • Most PMF commanders are senior heads of Iran-backed militias

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  • PMF has become more powerful in Iraqi politics, conducts military operations independently, and has power over the supreme court.

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Is Iraq Following in Lebanon’s Footsteps?:

  • Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, PMF Chief of Staff (until his assassination in 2020) served Qasem Soleimani.
    • Current Chair of the Popular Mobilization Commission, Faleh al-Fayyadh cooperates with Iran.
    • Most PMF commanders are senior heads of Iran-backed militias

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  • PMF has become more powerful in Iraqi politics, conducts military operations independently, and has power over the supreme court.

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Is Iraq Following in Lebanon’s Footsteps?:

  • Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, PMF Chief of Staff (until his assassination in 2020) served Qasem Soleimani.
    • Current Chair of the Popular Mobilization Commission, Faleh al-Fayyadh cooperates with Iran.
    • Most PMF commanders are senior heads of Iran-backed militias

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  • PMF has become more powerful in Iraqi politics, conducts military operations independently, and has power over the supreme court.

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Iraq’s Economic Turmoil:

  • PMF has an official budget of $2.6 billion USD, but…
    • The PMF diverts customs revenues costing Iraq ~$10 billion USD annually.
    • Iranian-backed militias receive $150 million USD from the IRI yearly.
    • Engages in illegal taxation netting ~$300,000 USD per day.
    • Traffics drugs, arms, oil, etc.

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  • 25% of Iraqis live in poverty.

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Fadel Manasfa

Palestinian Journalist

“[Iran] drains billions of dollars from the Iranian people’s treasury to fund destructive projects designed to destabilize Iraq… This would enable Iran to resume its Persian project in the Arab world and seize control over Iraq’s decision-making center, ensuring it would never rise again and remain mired in political and sectarian crises.”

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What External IRI Investments Have Brought Iran:

  • In 2019, Iranian gas prices rose 50% leading to protests.
    • Chants of “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life only for Iran.”

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  • $1 USD is currently equivalent to 834,000 Iranian rials.

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  • Over 30% of Iranians live in poverty and millions do not have access to clean water.

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Movements Attempting to Hold the IRI Accountable:

  • Iran Prison Atlas has documented 19,000 instances of the regime violating people’s civil rights.
  • The End Gender Apartheid and Woman, Life, Freedom movements advocate for women’s rights in Iran.

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  • Extra Resources:
    • United Against Nuclear Iran
    • Iran International
    • National Union for Democracy in Iran

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Hamas’s Iron Fist:

  • Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad receive $100 million USD from the IRI annually

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  • With these funds, Hamas…:
    • Kills Palestinians for ‘collaborating with Israel.’
    • Silences protests such as in 2019, 2025

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Thank you!

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