Iran seeks to "replicate at speed" its most powerful allied militias throughout the Middle East region and has developed a new template for building alliances, a report from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change said on Thursday.
At one level, Tehran is fashioning its own version of scholar Joseph Nye's soft-power framework but its work escalates all the way up to directing militias in civil wars and provision of arms.
The report identifies cultural, educational, religious, humanitarian and diplomatic bodies involved in recruiting and indoctrinating foot soldiers.
These use the international privileges afforded to Iran as a nation-state to establish a physical presence in target nations.
"The creation of a presence enables the regime to move operatives to host nations under an apparently legitimate guise," said the report, The View from Tehran: Iran's Militia Doctrine.
"This physical presence allows the process of recruitment to begin, with Tehran targeting individuals and communities susceptible to the regime’s ideology."
The effort is backed up by payments and welfare provisions to reinforce recruitment.
To build loyalties, the Iranian envoys then conduct a process of indoctrination and disseminate ideological propaganda.
Key to this is the network of cultural and religious centres that hand out propaganda material that is pro-regime and anti-American or anti-Israeli.
"A gradual process of radicalisation enables the regime to identify individuals or groups that embrace or show enthusiasm towards the core tenets of Tehran’s worldview," the report adds.
"Over time, the initial process of light indoctrination, which often occurs in the host nation, results in direct opportunities to visit Iran, allowing for more rigorous indoctrination."
Taking the process to the next stage, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will seek to form a militia that can be used in its interests.
The IRGC, specifically its foreign operations arm the Quds Force, forms these forces from its network of training headquarters and camps.
Under the direction of the Ramazan Headquarters, it cranks out fighters trained in insurgency and guerrilla warfare.
The report said they were being indoctrinated to fight as "warriors without borders" for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s ideological goal of creating a pan-Shiite state and eradicating Israel.
"Crucially, in addition to facilities in Iran itself, the IRGC has established a network of headquarters and camps across the Middle East in countries like Iraq and Syria," the report adds.
"In doing so, the IRGC has designed an infrastructure that can function even if the clerical regime in Iran collapses.”
The report finds that, like the IRGC, these manufactured groups do not just serve Iranian state deterrence, but will fight for Mr Khamenei regardless of access to financial support.
Countering them will require a hearts-and-minds counter-insurgency campaign.
Imposing sanctions on Tehran, or giving sanctions relief, will not be enough to cease their activities, the report says.
Tony Blair, the former British prime minister who is now chairman of the Institute for Global Change, said the research showed a return to the pre-2018 status quo would be dangerous.
“This report forms an essential part of the backdrop to how western policy makers approach Iran in the coming months," Mr Blair said.
“None of this means that diplomacy directed at curtailing the nuclear programme of Iran is wrong or misguided; on the contrary, it is necessary.
"But it does make the case for any agreement to act as a comprehensive brake on those destabilising activities.”
The institute identifies a turning point in Iran's approach to developing fighting forces outside the country after the demonstrations following the 2009 elections that pushed the regime to the brink.
The key change was to adapt the training and procedures of the domestic Basij militia.
The architect for this overhaul was Qassem Suleimani, who was killed by a US air strike near Baghdad airport more than a year ago.
Using militias that enforce state control over society was focused on Syria, where the Iranians could defend an ally, President Bashar Al Assad, and resist a threat to Syrian Shiite shrines, including Sayyida Zaynab.
"Suleimani called on IRGC commanders who were directly involved in suppressing Iran’s protests to travel to Syria and support this effort," the report said.
"This led to the creation of the so-called Syrian people’s Basij, also known as the National Defence Force.
"Remarkably, the IRGC’s plan for the NDF was not restricted to warfare but had five dimensions: military, security, economic, political and ideological-cultural.
"Ideological indoctrination had proven vital in increasing the willingness of Iranian Basij members to suppress popular uprisings at home against the Iranian regime."
The defence of the shrines became a ideological moment that allowed Tehran to radicalise Iraq's Heydarioun militias – including elements of Asaib Al Haaq, Kataib Hezbollah and the Badr Corps – to fight in Syria.
Looking to the longer term, Mr Khamenei has driven the establishment of a university tier for the militia system.
"Al Mustafa International University is, to all intents and purposes, Iran’s global engine of indoctrination and greatest soft-power asset abroad," the report said.
The university was founded by Mr Khamenei in 2007 from two Iranian religious organisations: the World Centre of Islamic Sciences; and the Organisation of Seminarians.
The institution' teaching is organised around Khameneist thoughts and speeches, and the ideological goals of the 1979 revolution.
"As Ali Abbasi, the head of Al Mustafa, asserts, the university’s 'mission is to organise religious schools in line with [spreading] the Islamic Revolution abroad',” the report said.
"Al Mustafa has more than 170 branches in and outside Iran and operates in over 80 countries, including in Asia, Africa and European cities such as London."
Where the Iranian regime has poured resources into cultivating and organising a phalanx of allies in Syria and Iraq, it is now devoting efforts to Yemen as well.
The capital Sanaa has been controlled since 2014 by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.
"There are hundreds of Yemeni students from Houthi tribes studying in Iran at places like Al Mustafa International University, some of whom have explicitly displayed ideological loyalty to Khamenei," the report said.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
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Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
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Our legal consultant
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
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When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
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2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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The details
Colette
Director: Wash Westmoreland
Starring: Keira Knightley, Dominic West
Our take: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
