After The IRGC: How the Artesh Could Redefine Power in Iran’s Next Political Order
Introduction As debates intensify around the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a deeper structural question remains largely ignored: if the IRGC collapses, who inherits power in Iran? In a system where coercive force defines political authority, the removal of an ideological military institution does not create a vacuum—it redistributes power . Map of Iran Building on earlier analysis— “Iran’s Tipping Point: Could a Military-Backed Martial Law Trigger the Fall of the Islamic Regime?” —this article extends the argument further: ➡️ The Artesh may emerge as the decisive power broker in a post-IRGC Iran. Background: Iran’s Dual Military Architecture Iran’s military is not unified—it is structurally divided : Component Nature Loyalty Role IRGC Ideological Supreme Leader Regime protection, proxies Artesh Conventional State Territorial defence This duality creates a controlled balance of power , where: The IRGC enforces ideology The Artesh preserves the state Core A...