Draft:Formation of the IRGC and the first liberation movement

Formation of the IRGC and the first liberation movement

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is a military and paramilitary organization in Iran, established in April 1979. How the IRGC was first established was based on the global guerrilla movements influenced by connections to leftist armed movements and guerrilla training camps across the Middle East. The IRGC was specifically inspired by Palestinian activists and movements such as the PLO which had built connections with Iranian opposition groups. They admired their effort to challenge Israel's occupation and viewed it as a successful guerrilla warfare. The IRGC although being established after the revolution, was to protect the new Islamic Regime and defend it against any threats. Many of its members and founders had backgrounds in the revolution activities against the Shah’s regime. The connection shows the importance of the revolution for the people to have enough spirit to establish the IRGC. The first liberation movement was also influenced both globally and locally. The IRGC was central in globalizing the 1978-79 revolution as it spread revolutionary ideas within other countries facing the same problems within their government or regime. By exporting the principles of the Iranian revolution and supporting like-minded groups, the IRGC sought to advance its vision of establishing Islamic governance and challenging Western influence in the Middle East and beyond.

References

Alemzadeh M. Revolutionary Politics of the Normal. International Journal of Middle East Studies. 2023;55(4):724-728.

Keshavarzian A. Globalizing the Iranian Revolution.International Journal of Middle East Studies. A Multiscalar History. In::36-56.