Temperature Rising: Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Wars in the Middle East

Nader Uskowi provides an informative analysis of Iran's Quds Force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) branch charged with advancing the Islamic Revolution outside Iran. Uskowi analyzes the Quds Force structure, foreign activities, funding sources, and possible future.Uskowi, an Iranian-American, met Ayatollah Khomeini in Paris in 1978. Asking Uskowi about his plans after finishing his studies in Europe, Khomeini told Uskowi that he "shouldn't go back to Iran" because the "Revolution is not about Iran, it's about the whole region." That the revolution should advance beyond Iran to form a Shia "arc of influence" was one of the guiding principles of the 1979 Iranian revolution.Through its forces or arming and directing foreign militias, the Quds Force has been active in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere. Acting with foreign proxies, the Quds Force has been connected to suicide bombings against a Jewish community center in Argentina in 1994 and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing against U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia. The Quds Force also has directed or assisted "with the logistics" in the assassinations of Iranian opposition leaders or dissidents in Iraq, Switzerland, Vienna, and Germany.Following the September 11 attacks, the "Quds Force, the Iranians [IRGC Special Operations], and the Shia Hazara militia" joined "the U.S.-led coalition and Northern Alliance forces in pushing back the Taliban in the northern and western regions of Afghanistan." Despite this promising outcome, improved relations between Iran and the U.S. were not to be. In a 2002 speech that "sent a shockwave" through Iran's Office of the Supreme Leader, President Bush dubbed Iran, Syria, and North Korea the "Axis of Evil." The Quds Force then worked against the U.S. in Iraq and later aided the Taliban in opposition to the U.S. in Afghanistan.After the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, the Quds Force worked "to raise the cost of [U.S.] occupation" and for "control of Iraqi security institutions." Under Quds Force General Soleimani, an Iraqi Shia militia formed to fight against the U.S. in Iraq, unleashing "deadly attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in the form of roadside bombs," killing "around two hundred U.S. servicemen." Despite working against the U.S. in Iraq, Soleimani would later "not object" to 2016 "U.S.-led coalition" airstrikes against ISIS in Fallujah, which helped to liberate the city from ISIS control.Soleimani also led the Quds Force and a multi-national Shia militia force in the Syrian civil war to keep Assad in power. Regarding Assad's Alawi sect as "a Shia-governed entity," Iran aided Assad against a Sunni opposition force. With Russian air support, Soleimani led the pro-regime Shia force to a decisive victory in the battle of Aleppo (2012-2016). Iranian and militia casualty levels were high. Obituaries and funerals in Iran showed the Iranian public the extent of the Quds Force's involvement in Syria.Despite its success in helping Assad retain power in Syria and its contribution to the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, the Quds Force's attempts to create a permanent military presence in both countries faced resistance. Permanent Iranian military facilities in Syria are a "red line" for Israel, and the Israeli air force has carried out bombing raids on such facilities. Iraqi Shias were willing to accept Iranian military aid against the U.S. However, they were resistant to Soleimani as a "viceroy of Iraq in all but name."Working with the friendly governments of Syria and Iraq aided the Quds Force strategy in these countries. Soleimani was able to move weapons and forces into both countries, virtually unimpeded. By contrast, the Quds Force's efforts to assist the Houthis in Yemen encountered resistance from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. "Saudi and Emirati forces blockaded [Yemeni] seaports" and "Yemeni airspace and airports were closed" to Quds Force aircraft.The financial burden of maintaining a far-flung Quds Force is a high one. The Iranian public and Iran's president have limited veto power over the budget or activities of the Quds Force. Precisely how much is required to maintain the Quds Force is unknown, but the annual cost "could approach $20 billion." The bulk of this is "extra-budgetary funding," coming from the IRGC and the Supreme Leader's Office. Through "mega-foundations," the IRGC and the Supreme Leader's Office "control about 50 percent of the Iranian economy."A greater risk than the Quds Force's cost to Iran is the risk of a broader war in the region. Israel has disproportionately responded to any Iranian threat in Syria. In 2017, Saudi Arabia managed to defend its royal palace against a Quds Force led missile attack from Yemen. An additional missile fired at Riyadh airport "hit an airport parking lot." A direct hit against either target could well trigger a response from the Saudis.This wide-ranging study helps understand the Quds Force and the danger it poses to the Iranian people and the region.

Uskowi’s is the first book ever that focuses on Iran’s Quds Force. It is also groundbreaking – arguing that the Quds Force is organized in a way to outlast the Islamic Republic of Iran. That is a chilling but important contribution in understanding the threats facing us. It also tells us what the West is getting wrong about IRGC and the Quds Force. Just because they follow irregular warfare and use of foreign proxies, it does not mean they aren’t organized for the long haul.

Great information on Quds force operations across the Middle East and very well researched. However, a lot of the book is repetitive and could've been summarised in less pages - this is below expectations given the price. Regardless, this is probably the only source on the topic so worth reading.