Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
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Iraq’s new prime minister: What lies ahead (Part 1)
Mustafa Al-Kadhimi — British citizen, former news columnist, and ex-intelligence chief — has now improbably risen to Iraq’s highest office. His opening was created thanks partly to the weakness of Iran, which is dealing with an economic crisis and the recent loss of General Qassem Soleimani to an American drone strike. In his first few weeks, Al-Kadhimi has appointed an impressive cabinet, taken charge of a tenuous security situation, and set his sights on jump-starting the economy. But he faces a difficult road ahead, with angry public protests and fractious militia politics.
Near-term scenarios for the U.S.-Iran competition
Reports that the recent U.S. and Iranian attacks against each other are leading to war significantly exaggerate the situation. Each country’s moves are part of long-standing strategies focused on influencing the other’s behavior. As such, similar activities can be expected in the near future. A military conflict, however, would benefit ...
Iran: Scenarios for deep reform or regime change
Starting last November, Iranians have been taking to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction with the country’s leadership. Over the past decade, several such movements have sprung up, only to ultimately be stamped out. Achieving regime change, or even significant reform, would entail depriving powerful, privileged groups of tremendous benefits. ...
Leadership Challenges 2020: Iran’s decision makers
With the recent focus on Iran-West tensions, it is worth considering who exactly the decision makers are in Iran’s highly complex structure of power and whom the current system benefits. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holds tremendous sway, he is not all-powerful. Understanding the roles of the various players ...
Iran’s aspirations for hegemony and its terrorist activities
The U.S.’s killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani is a huge blow to the Iranian regime, and Washington had valid reasons for making the move. Though many fear the repercussions, the U.S. could not shy away from self-defense for such reasons. And for now, it looks likely that Iran will ...
