What We Do

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was established soon after the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1980 and was composed of the same groups that led the revolution. There were two central reasons for the establishment of the IRGC. First, it was designed to defend the achievements of the Islamic revolution and the new Islamic Republic. The IRGC was supposed to serve as an operational and political counterweight to the Iranian army (“artesh” in Fasi). The latter was clearly identified with the Shah regime. The second mission of the IRGC was to shoulder the burden of the military effort of the Iran-Iraq war.

In 2016, the IS in West Africa split from Boko Haram. As a result, two main jihadist groups were formed in the Nigerian arena: Boko Haram, led by Abubakar Shekau, and the IS in West Africa, led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi.

From a broad perspective, the battle between Al-Qaeda and the IS as a battle for the hearts and minds of Boko Haram members.

Over several decades Baluchi groups have fought Iran’s Islamic regime—as well as the neighboring Pakistani government—for greater autonomy or independence. Most militant groups in Baluchistan are based on tribal connections. These tribes have tribal patterns of authority and obligation and a tradition of helping and harboring members of allied tribes and many tribes in Pakistani Baluchistan support their oppressed brothers in Iran.