Vanguard of the Imam: Religion, Politics, and Iran's Revolutionary GuardsIran's Revolutionary Guards are one of the most important forces in the Middle East today. As the appointed defender of Iran's revolution, the Guards have evolved into a pillar of the Islamic Republic and the spearhead of its influence. Their sway has spread across the Middle East, where the Guards have overseen loyalist support to Bashar al-Assad in Syria and been a staunch backer in Iraq's war against ISIS-bringing its own troops, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and Shiite militias to the fight. Links to terrorism, human rights abuses, and the suppression of popular democracy have shrouded the Revolutionary Guards in controversy. In spite of their prominence, the Guards remain poorly understood to outside observers. In Vanguard of the Imam, Afshon Ostovar has written the first comprehensive history of the organization. Situating the rise of the Guards in the larger contexts of Shiite Islam, modern Iranian history, and The Guards have been fundamental to the success of the Islamic revolution. The symbiotic relationship between them and Iran's clerical rulers underpins the regime's nearly unshakeable system of power. The Guards have used their privileged position at home to export Iran's revolution beyond its |
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User Review - sherrihs - LibraryThingA really insightful book about Iran and Iranian actions in other countries across the Middle East. Read full review
Contents
1 | |
19 | |
39 | |
62 | |
80 | |
6 Exporting the Revolution | 102 |
7 Warriors of Karbala | 121 |
8 When Johnny Comes Marching Home | 141 |
10 Big Bang Big Crunch | 179 |
11 In Defense of the Family of the Prophet | 204 |
12 Epilogue | 230 |
13 Conclusion | 235 |
Notes | 243 |
Bibliography | 285 |
Index | 297 |
9 The War on Terror | 159 |
Other editions - View all
Vanguard of the Imam: Religion, Politics, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards Afshon Ostovar Limited preview - 2016 |
Vanguard of the Imam: Religion, Politics, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards Afshon Ostovar Limited preview - 2016 |
Vanguard of the Imam: Religion, Politics, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards Afshon Ostovar No preview available - 2018 |