Axis of Evil

The liberal West is currently facing a coordinated and unprecedented campaign aimed at undermining the foundations of democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law from within. The dominant actors in this campaign include Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey, alongside Qatar’s influence networks and political Islamist movements, although they are by no means the only actors involved. Together, they have formed an alignment of interests that seeks to undermine geopolitical stability and the universal values of free societies. Through a combination of cyber warfare, disruption of public discourse on social media, economic leverage, and the funding of academic and religious institutions, these actors exploit liberal openness to weaken the West on its own home turf.

The convergence of authoritarian powers, ideological organizations, and vast oil wealth has created a complex network of foreign influence that threatens social cohesion in the capitals of Europe and North America. While these actors employ overlapping methods and operate across multiple arenas—from spreading disinformation and manipulating public discourse to introducing radical ideas into the civic sphere—their approaches and priorities vary. Yet they share one central objective: to dismantle the liberal international order and replace it with an alternative.