TEHRAN – The voice of resistance resonates from the streets of Gaza to the halls of BRICS summits and Shanghai Cooperation Organization meetings. Palestinian students waving their flag at universities around the world, African leaders expelling colonial forces, Latin American politicians asserting the independence of their decisions, and Islamic resistance movements in West Asia that have shaped the ethical and military pillars of the region—all demonstrate that the world no longer accepts the unipolar order dominated by the U.S. and Europe. 

The awakening of the Global South marks a turning point in contemporary history, signaling the decline of Western legitimacy and the end of its monopoly on narrative.

Three decades ago, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Western elites celebrated the “end of history,” imagining the twenty-first century as the era of unipolar dominance. The U.S. was not only the preeminent military and economic power but also the source of global values and norms. This perception relied on diverse instruments of dominance: NATO, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and largely Western media. Any country that did not conform to this order faced sanctions, threats, or even war.

Yet the real world never adhered to this Western unipolar narrative. The endless wars of the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan, the destruction of countries under the pretext of combating terrorism, economic sanctions that brought nations to their knees, and unconditional support for Israel exposed the imperialist nature of this order. The Global South, historically a victim of domination, now demonstrates that it is no longer merely a spectator but an active and decisive actor.

The awakening of the Global South and the role of emerging alliances

Over the past two decades, the Global South has challenged the unipolar order using new political, economic, and security tools. Central to this awakening are emerging economic and security alliances, such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which not only transform global power structures but also demonstrate the genuine independence of the Global South.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iram, Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Indonesia has evolved from a simple economic coalition into a powerful geopolitical force. By developing financial and economic cooperation independent of the West, reducing the dominance of the dollar, establishing a new development bank, and creating joint investment funds, this alliance has opened a new path for Global South countries. Recent BRICS summits have emphasized not only economic issues but also independent regional and global policies—policies prioritizing the interests of member states over Western interests—showing that the world is redefining its financial and political order.

The SCO also plays a vital role. Led by China and Russia, the organization coordinates security and military cooperation among Asian countries while creating an independent shield against NATO and Washington’s influence. Iran and other member states signal that Asia is forging a truly multipolar order, independent of the West and free from U.S. and European dominance. SCO meetings, addressing cyber security, counterterrorism, economic cooperation, and regional infrastructure projects, demonstrate that the Global South can ensure its security and development without dependence on the West.

The Islamic Axis of Resistance in West Asia

Alongside BRICS and SCO, the Islamic Resistance Axis in West Asia serves as the core of regional and global resilience in the South. This axis includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine, Ansarullah in Yemen, and Resistance groups in Iraq. Relying on popular support and strategic ingenuity, these movements have reshaped the military, political, and ethical equations of the region.

Islamic Resistance is not only a tool to counter direct occupation and domination by Israel and its Western allies but also provides a practical model for Global South countries, demonstrating that people and governments can withstand economic pressures, sanctions, and military aggression. Hezbollah in Lebanon, successfully confronting Israeli forces and ISIS military offensives, exemplifies long-term, popular-based resistance. Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine, through resilience in Gaza and symbolic defensive operations, have amplified the Palestinian voice of suffering and resistance worldwide. Ansarullah in Yemen, despite a siege and extensive attacks by the Saudi-U.S. coalition, has managed its country and demonstrated the ability of Islamic Resistance to preserve political independence and national security.

This Resistance Axis, with its regional influence, has strengthened the moral and political consensus of the Global South. Countries from Iran and Venezuela to Africa and Latin America have drawn inspiration from the Islamic Resistance model, pursuing paths of independence and opposition to Western dominance.

Other resilient Global South countries

Beyond the Resistance Axis and emerging alliances, other Global South countries have also embraced paths of resilience:

- Iran, through independent regional policies and nuclear and defense programs, demonstrates that autonomy in the face of Western pressure is achievable.

- Venezuela and Cuba, through resilient economies and regional cooperation, have bypassed U.S. sanctions and implemented independent development.

- Bolivia and Nicaragua, by maintaining political and economic independence, exemplify practical resistance to Western intervention.

- In Africa, countries such as Mali and Niger, by expelling French military forces and confronting neocolonialism, have shown the path to reclaiming national sovereignty.

- In Asia and Oceania, China and India, beyond their economic roles in BRICS, strengthen the economic independence of neighboring countries through regional infrastructure and South-South investments.

The collapse of the Western unipolar narrative

The combination of the Resistance Axis, emerging alliances, and resilient Global South countries exposes the failure of the Western unipolar narrative. The West can no longer claim a monopoly on truth. Double standards in human rights are a clear indicator of its declining legitimacy: Ukrainian children are mourned, while thousands of Palestinian children killed under bombardment are ignored or justified.

Simultaneously, the failure of U.S. military projects and proxy wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen illustrates that no power can unilaterally manipulate regional and global dynamics. Popular movements, the Islamic resistance axis, and emerging alliances, together with growing independent public opinion, guide the world toward pluralism and multipolarity.

The Global South, despite its internal diversity and contradictions, now emphasizes a shared principle: the rejection of Western domination and the demand for global justice. This awakening not only transforms political and economic structures but also reconstructs the cultural and ethical identity of nations. The peoples of the Global South are no longer spectators; they are active participants shaping the future.

Future outlook

In the future, the multipolar world will consolidate, and the Global South will not only strengthen its political and economic positions but also serve as an inspiring model for other liberation movements. Emerging powers, the Islamic resistance axis, and popular movements are redefining global norms and challenging the West’s place in the world narrative.

The future of the world lies in independence, South-South cooperation, and popular resistance. From the Middle East to Africa and Latin America, the Global South is not merely an actor but a stage manager of history. The Western unipolar narrative has ended, and the voice of the Global South now determines the trajectory of the twenty-first century. This historic awakening presents an extraordinary opportunity to reclaim dignity, independence, and justice in international relations, inspiring millions around the globe.