Middle East

Question 1

old leadership in Iran

Answer 1

aging out | being excluded from the political scene

Question 2

new leadership in Iran

Answer 2

hardened members of Revolutionary Guard | more violent and risk-tolerant

Question 3

Axis of Resistance

Answer 3

militant Islamic groups in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon

Question 4

Hezbollah

Answer 4

Lebanese political party and militant group | Iran’s most valuable asset | advanced military arsenal

Question 5

Houthi

Answer 5

Yemen’s political and militant organization

Question 6

Israel impetus to attack Iran

Answer 6

Iran’s military support for Hamas | Iran using Syria as a land bridge

Question 7

Iran impetus to attack Israel

Answer 7

diplomatic compound bombing in Syria killing key leaders | hoping Israel will eventually collapse

Question 8

Iran’s 1979 Revolution

Answer 8

set up Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to protect new Islamic regime

Question 9

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps

Answer 9

IRGC | one of the most powerful paramilitary groups in Middle East | supports militant groups in other countries | aims to rid world of Western influence

Question 10

effect of US sanctions on Iran

Answer 10

minimal, because of their stronghold on the Iranian economy

Question 11

MENA

Answer 11

Middle East North Africa

Question 12

Islamist rebel group that overthrew Assad

Answer 12

Hayat Tahrir-al Shams (HTS)

Question 13

Head of HTS

Answer 13

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani