What is the 'axis of resistance' of Iran-backed groups in the Middle East?

What is the 'axis of resistance' of Iran-backed groups in the Middle East? Enlarge this image toggle caption Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images LONDON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a warning this week that the United States would act "swiftly and decisively" if it came under attack from Iran or its proxies in the Middle East, amid growing concerns of the Israel-Hamas war spreading. Enlarge this image toggle caption Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images) Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images) What is the "axis of resistance"? Enlarge this image toggle caption Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images Paul Salem, president of the Middle East Institute in Washington, told NPR's Ailsa Chang, "It's quite likely that Hezbollah knew of the preplanning and probably participated in training and planning with Hamas, and all of them sort of are part of this Iranian proxy force deployment that you have in Lebanon, in Syria, in Yemen, in Iraq and in Gaza as well." Sponsor Message How the Iran-backed alliance might influence the war Mohanad Hage Ali, a Beirut-based senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, told NPR's Scott Simon that the "unity of fronts" of Iranian-backed proxy groups is "a kind of NATO for militant groups" in the region, requiring allied organizations to step in and provide military support should any other member groups face an existential threat.