Quds Force, elite clandestine wing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responsible primarily for its foreign operations. Its activities have centered on organizing, supporting, and at times leading local forces abroad in ways favorable to the interests of the IRGC and Iran’s clerical establishment.
Iran’s Islamist dictatorship has been challenged and rebuked in recent weeks by massive political protests not only at home, but also in the spheres of influence that the regime carved out in Iraq and in Lebanon. In all three countries, the popular protests reportedly erupted spontaneously and initially focused on economic issues, particularly high prices, lack of jobs, and corruption.
Four months since Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s government obtained a parliamentary vote of confidence for its brief one-year tenure which is enough time to explore the government’s orientations and foreign policy priorities the PM has generated controversy for prioritizing a policy of “openness and striking balances.” These concerns have been raised even