Will economic reform stabilize Iran? 1/29/2018 8:19:20 PM Cartoon illustration of IRGC economic investments If the army and its Revolutionary Guards shed their commercial holdings, it may catalyze a tectonic shift towards the liberalization that will address the dissatisfaction within society   January 29, 2018 -  In the wake of anti-government street protests, Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took an unprecedented step ordering both the country’s regular army and its Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to divest from commercial holdings and businesses not directly affiliated with their work. Given that the IRGC controls almost one-third of Iran’s economy, according to some estimates, the move may catalyze a tectonic shift toward the liberalization of the economy aimed to address prevalent dissatisfaction within Iranian society, which is believed to have roots in economic hardships. But will it work? The IRGC’s involvement in business dates back to t...