The Triple Shi’a Succession

The future of the Middle East will be determined by three looming Shi'a successions.

Commercial Summary: This is a piece intended for policymakers and for a think tank audience, and to inform other analysts. We argue that the future of the region, especially of Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, depends not on Israeli firepower, but on the looming successions to Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament, to Iraqi marja’ Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sis…