The silent power in the state: How the Revolutionary Guards shape Iran
In the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, power centers have shifted for years in favor of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the so-called IRGC. What was once founded as the ideological protective force of the 1979 revolution has developed into a power complex that goes far beyond military tasks. Today, the Revolutionary Guards control central levers of politics, the economy, and security policy – thus significantly shaping the country’s strategic orientation.
The IRGC was established immediately after the overthrow of the Shah to defend the young Islamic Republic against internal and external enemies. Unlike the regular army, the organization does not see itself merely as a military force but as an ideological guardian of the system. This special status allowed the Guards to gradually expand their influence. Especially since the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, a close network of former commanders within the organization developed, who later took key positions in ministries, state-owned companies, and security apparatuses.
Today, the power of the Revolutionary Guards extends deep into the Iranian economy. Through holdings and state-affiliated companies, they control large parts of the energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications sectors. Above all, in the oil and gas business, the Guards are considered the dominant force. Paradoxically, international sanctions have further strengthened this development: because many foreign companies withdrew from Iran, organizations connected to the IRGC were able to expand their economic position even more.
The influence of the Revolutionary Guards in foreign policy is hardly to be overestimated either. The so-called Quds Force, responsible for overseas missions, is regarded as a key instrument of Iranian regional policy. It coordinates relations with allied militias and political movements in the Middle East – including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite groups in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. From Tehran’s perspective, this network serves as strategic deterrence against rivals such as Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States. Critics, however, see it as a major cause of the ongoing instability in the region.
Domestically, the dominance of the IRGC simultaneously reinforces the authoritarian tendencies of the state. Protest movements like those following the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in 2022 were suppressed with massive force. Security forces and paramilitary units acted decisively against demonstrators. Many observers see this as a sign that the Revolutionary Guards are not only meant to guarantee external security but increasingly function as an instrument to secure the political order.
The growing power of the IRGC shows how strongly the Iranian system has shifted toward a security-dominated state. Decisions are increasingly influenced by a close circle of political and military elites. For the international community, the question remains open and unpredictable whether Iran will continue to rely more on confrontation or, in the foreseeable future, turn to diplomacy and pragmatic opening. As long as the Revolutionary Guards maintain their central position, however, the country’s security policy course is likely to remain decisive.
Ebola Crisis Forces Uganda to Take Drastic Measures
The Ugandan government has temporarily suspended all flights to and from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo in light of the renewed Ebola outbreak there. The decision came after health authorities confirmed that the virus has now spread to a province partly controlled by armed rebel groups. This heightens concerns about an uncontrolled spread of the highly dangerous disease in the region.
Ebola is one of the most deadly infectious diseases worldwide. The virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever and has a mortality rate of up to 90 percent depending on the virus variant. The disease is transmitted through direct contact with body fluids of infected people or animals. Its spread is particularly problematic in areas with weak medical infrastructure and limited access for aid organizations.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has long been one of the African countries most affected by Ebola. Several epidemics there have claimed thousands of lives. The current situation is considered particularly difficult because parts of the affected province are controlled by militias. International aid workers and medical teams can only access some areas under considerable security risks. This complicates both the care of the infected and the tracing of possible infection chains.
Uganda is responding with utmost caution. The country has experience dealing with Ebola outbreaks and has reacted relatively quickly to threats in the past. Besides the provisional flight suspension, border controls have been tightened, quarantine measures prepared, and medical monitoring systems activated along important traffic routes. Health officials are increasingly checking travelers for symptoms such as fever, weakness, or bleeding.
The international community is also watching the situation with growing attention. The World Health Organization and several aid organizations are intensifying their measures on site. These include vaccination campaigns, provision of protective equipment for medical staff, as well as awareness campaigns in affected communities. Experts warn, however, that political instability and armed conflicts could significantly hamper the fight against the epidemic.
The new Ebola crisis clearly illustrates once again how closely health policy, security, and state stability are interconnected. Whether the initiated measures will suffice to prevent a regional spread of the virus is likely to become apparent in the coming weeks.
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