From the shadows to supreme power: why Iran chose Ahmad Vahidi to lead its confrontation with the United States

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Who Is Ahmad Vahidi? The Secretive IRGC Commander now shaping Iran's confrontation with the United States From the founding of the Quds Force to commanding the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad Vahidi's rise signals a new era in Iran's military-led decision-making. As Tehran braces for a prolonged confrontation with Washington, one of Iran's most secretive and hardline military figures has emerged at the center of power—signaling a dramatic shift in how the Islamic Republic intends to wage its geopolitical struggle. Who is Ahmad Vahidi? Explore the rise of Iran's IRGC commander and how his growing influence could reshape Tehran's strategy toward the United States and the Middle East. For decades, Ahmad Vahidi remained largely behind the scenes, shaping Iran's military doctrine and regional strategy away from the public spotlight. Today, however, he stands at the heart of Iran's national security apparatus, overs...
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Can Hamas be disarmed? the real challenge facing Gaza's post-war future



 By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj

Hamas' offer to relinquish governance raises a far more difficult question: can the organization surrender its military power, or will Gaza repeat Lebanon's Hezbollah model?

Can Hamas truly be disarmed? Gaza's future depends not only on new governance but on whether armed groups relinquish military power after decades of conflict.

Governance Is Easier Than Disarmament

Hamas' announcement that it may step away from administering Gaza has generated cautious optimism among diplomats seeking to stabilize the territory after years of devastating conflict.

However, surrendering administrative authority is fundamentally different from surrendering military capability.

History demonstrates that armed organizations frequently retain their weapons even after relinquishing formal political responsibilities. Consequently, the central challenge for Gaza is no longer simply who governs—but who controls force.

The Missing Piece of Every Peace Plan

The current international framework envisions several interconnected objectives:

  • A technocratic civilian administration
  • Reconstruction of Gaza
  • International security assistance
  • Humanitarian recovery
  • Hamas' disarmament

Among these, disarmament remains the most difficult.

Without a monopoly on force by legitimate state institutions, any civilian government risks becoming symbolic rather than sovereign.



Lessons From Other Conflicts

History offers mixed precedents.

Northern Ireland demonstrated that political agreements can gradually replace armed struggle through negotiated disarmament and power-sharing.

Conversely:

  • Hezbollah retained its weapons after Lebanon's civil war.
  • Colombia's FARC experienced an uneven demobilization.
  • The PKK remains active despite repeated peace initiatives.
  • Criminal organizations in Latin America have often survived political transitions because they retained coercive power.

These cases illustrate a common lesson: institutions cannot function effectively while parallel armed structures remain intact.

Why Gaza Is Different

Unlike many previous counterinsurgency campaigns, Gaza presents unique operational constraints.

Dense urban terrain, humanitarian concerns, and the continued presence of civilians complicate military operations.

The post-war environment therefore depends on creating credible civilian alternatives alongside security arrangements capable of preventing renewed militarization.

Strategic Implications

The debate surrounding Hamas increasingly concerns three interconnected questions:

  • Can governance be separated from military power?
  • Who guarantees security during transition?
  • Can reconstruction succeed while armed organizations remain intact?

The answers will determine whether Gaza enters a period of recovery or remains vulnerable to renewed cycles of violence.

Conclusion

The future of Gaza ultimately depends less on declarations than on implementation.

Political transition requires institutions.

Long-term stability requires security.

Neither can succeed if armed organizations continue exercising independent military authority alongside civilian governance.

#Hamas #Gaza #Israel #MiddleEast #Security #Counterterrorism #PeaceProcess #Geopolitics #WarAnalysis #KurdishPolicyAnalysis


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