The rise of the Pasdaran : assessing the domestic roles of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps / Frederic Wehrey ... [et al.].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Wehrey, Frederic M.

United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense.

National Defense Research Institute (U.S.)

Series:

Rand Corporation monograph series.

Rand Corporation monograph series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil-military relations--Iran.

Civil-military relations.

Political culture--Iran.

Political culture.

Iran--Economic conditions--1997-.

Iran.

Iran--Military policy.

Iran--Politics and government--1997-.

Iran--Social conditions--1997-.

Iran. Sipāh-i Pāsdārān-i Inqilāb-i Islāmī--Influence.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxi, 129 pages) : illustrations, map

Other Title:

Assessing the domestic roles of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND National Defense Research Institute, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has evolved well beyond its origins as an ideological guard for the regime. Today, in addition to wielding military force, its influence extends into virtually every corner of Iranian political life and society. Wehrey et al. assess the IRGC less as a traditional military entity and more as a domestic actor, emphasizing the variety of roles it plays in Iran's economy and political culture.

Contents:

Cover; Preface; Contents; Figures; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; CHAPTER ONE- Introduction; CHAPTER TWO- The IRGC in Context: Iran's Security and Political Landscape; The IRGC in Iran's Security Hierarchy; Iran's Factional Landscape; CHAPTER THREE- The IRGC's Diverse Domestic Roles: Origins and Evolution; Postrevolutionary Developments: Consolidating Internal Control; The Sacred Defense: The IRGC in the Iran-Iraq War; "Popularizing" the IRGC: The Development of the Basij Resistance Force; The Guardians of the Revolution: The IRGC's Domestic Intelligence and Security Roles

The Merger of Basij and IRGC: A Sign of the Regime's Growing Entrenchment CHAPTER FOUR- Militarizing Civil Society: The IRGC's Indoctrination, Training, and Media Activities; The IRGC's Ideological Activism: Origins and Development; The IRGC Presence in Iran's Education System; The "Ten-Million-Man Army": The IRGC's Role in Popular Paramilitary Training; The IRGC Media Apparatus: Formal and Informal Influences; Censorship of Independent Media Outlets; CHAPTER FIVE- Economic Expansion: The IRGC's Business Conglomerate and Public Works; Origins of the IRGC's Economic Activities

Foundations (Bonyads) Construction, Engineering, and Manufacturing Companies; Illicit and Black Market Activities; Public Works; The Dilemmas of Economic Expansion; CHAPTER SIX- The IRGC in Politics; The Origins of the IRGC as a Political Force; Ideological Factionalism Inside the IRGC; Possible Future Scenarios for the IRGC; CHAPTER SEVEN- Conclusion: Toward a More Strategic Understanding of the IRGC; The Utility of a Comparative Approach: Pakistan and China; APPENDIX A- Business Organizations Affiliated with the IRGC or Influenced by IRGC Personnel

APPENDIX B- Current and Former IRGC Personnel APPENDIX C- Evolution of the Islamic Republic and the IRGC; APPENDIX D- Provincial Map of Iran; APPENDIX E- Glossary of Persian Terms; Bibliography

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

"Prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-129).

ISBN:

1-282-03343-3

9786612033438

0-8330-4680-2

OCLC:

476261228