The general’s peerless domestic stature would have served a crucial mediatory role during the eventual transition to Khamenei’s successor, so his death brings significant uncertainty to that process.
UN limits on Iranian weapons transactions will expire in a few short months, and even snapback sanctions may be insufficient to prevent proliferation of dangerous arms to and from the regime.
The general’s background includes often-buried links to the pre-revolutionary MEK, along with a sobering record of transforming the Basij into a fine-tuned engine of domestic repression and organized vigilantism.
Gonul Tol, Wladimir van Wilgenburg, and Dana Stroul
The slimmed-down U.S. presence in northeastern Syria has produced a greater role for Russia and the Assad regime and a more circumscribed role for America's Kurdish-led partners. Watch as three leading experts as assess the new balance of power and its effects on counterterrorism, humanitarian conditions, governance, and the political and military stature of the various parties in the conflict.
Abdul-Mahdi’s resignation is not the ultimate end to the crisis, nor does his departure adequately address the protesters’ demands. And with the recent escalation in Iraq between Iran and the United States, the importance of leadership in Iraq has only become more clear.
Charles Thépaut and Elana DeLozier
By triggering the nuclear deal’s dispute resolution mechanism, Britain, France, and Germany are opening diplomatic space that could help the United States and Iran return to the negotiating table.
Policy Notes
The Washington Institute has been sponsoring a series of discussions about sudden succession in the Middle East. Each session focuses on scenarios that might unfold if a specific ruler or...
Policy Notes 64
The Washington Institute has recently been sponsoring a series of discussions about sudden succession in the Middle East. Each session focuses on scenarios that might unfold if a specific ruler or leader departed the scene tomorrow. Questions include these: Would the sudden change lead to different policies? Would it affect...
Policy Notes 63
The Washington Institute has recently been sponsoring a series of discussions about sudden succession in the Middle East. Each session focuses on scenarios that might unfold if a specific ruler or leader departed the scene tomorrow. Questions include these: Would the sudden change lead to different policies? Would it affect...
Policy Notes 62
The Washington Institute has recently been sponsoring a series of discussions about sudden succession in the Middle East. Each session focuses on scenarios that might unfold if a specific ruler or leader departed the scene tomorrow. Questions include these: Would the sudden change lead to different policies? Would it affect...
