Iran’s military in powerful political role

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by virtue of its performance in the 1980-1988 war that guaranteed the survival of the Islamic republic, has unique influence in the Iranian government. The situation is similar in Turkey, where the army founded the state, and in Israel, where the military has a history of defending the country against existential threats.

However, in Israel and Turkey there is strong civilian control over the military, and the armed forces influence policy largely through constitutional mechanisms. Iran’s political system is more complicated, enabling the military to play a more direct role.