Iran’s Axis of Resistance: Can It Shift the Balance of Power?

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In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso sits down with Dr. Armand Mahmoudian to introduce a major new research initiative from the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI) at the University of South Florida: Axis of Resistance.

The conversation explores Iran’s growing influence across the Middle East through its network of proxies in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and beyond. Mahmoudian provides historical context for Iran’s regional strategy, its support for Shia groups, and the current challenges surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Listeners will also learn about GNSI’s upcoming monthly expert panels, featuring former officials, regional specialists, and voices from affected communities—all aimed at delivering comprehensive insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

🎧 Tune in to learn how Iran’s power projection is reshaping security dynamics across the region—and why understanding it matters now more than ever.

At the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

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