Iranian Politics

As former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and U.S.

On January 3, President Trump neutralized the person most responsible for spreading terror across the Middle East – Major-General Qassem Soleimani. As head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) -- the hand behind Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Houthis, and the Iraqi Shiite militias responsible for the deaths of over 600 U.S.

As Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani prepares to embark on his first trip to Japan from December 20-21, he faces headwinds at home and abroad.  His government is still reeling from the aftermath of mass protests over its new gas policy.  That’s not to mention the regime’s increasing isolation diplomatically and economically.  As Tehran and Tokyo take center stage, there will be three dynamics to watch: Rouhani’s incredibly shrinking presidency; the future of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces; and the potential for surprises in the region.

Al-Alam, Iran’s Arabic-language news outlet, released an interview that it conducted this week with Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force (IRGC-QF). In the interview, Soleimani revealed for the first time his participation in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, saying he was present in Lebanon from the first day of the conflict until it ended on August 14, 2006.

Lebanon just concluded its first parliamentary elections in nine years. The results are in, and the March 14 Alliance, Beirut’s pro-Western political bloc, has suffered a setback. For the first time since the 2005 Cedar Revolution, the parties aligned with the Hezbollah-dominated March 8 camp will now control a majority of Lebanon’s parliament.

Explaining the Outcome

Empowered by a new electoral law, last weekend

1. Historical Snapshot Since the Last Elections

On Friday, Lebanon will head to Paris for yet another international donor conference, seeking $6-7 billion in credit facilities and funds.