Trump determined to ruffle Iran again

Name calling...  

Trump's administration seems determined to go ahead and label Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. In doing so, the US would be joining Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, two equally dubious administrations. The Revolutionary Guard is certainly "terrorist" in a sense, as it is responsible for terrorising Iran's own citizens, as well as those of other nations.

The defenders of the Islamic Republic

The IRGC is like a duplicate Iranian army, in as much as it structured that way, but that is where the comparison ends. The two forces have very different roles. The regular army (Artesh) has responsibilities similar to those of other armies around the world, relating primarily to defence and security. 

The IRGC's role, on the other hand, is specific to the Islamic Revolution. It was founded by Ayatollah Khomeini immediately after he seized power in 1979. Its mission is to defend the Islamic nature of the regime, both from perceived threats within its borders and from assumed ones abroad. The former role has led it to oppress Iranian citizens, particularly more open minded ones. In the latter role it finds the pretext to intervene in the affairs of other countries, such as Syria and Yemen.

Trump has a point

Conscription is voluntary, therefore recruits are generally zealous about their position. So, perhaps this is one of those rare occasions where Trump has a point. BUT... His decision could make matters worse in a number of ways. So much so, that advice to the contrary has even come from the Pentagon and the CIA. 

Labelling will only make matters worse

Their prime concern is that the move will add to the tension in the Middle East and open US troops to scrutiny and retaliation. As well as this, it would be the first time that the US government branded an army of a sovereign state as a terror group. This would open up a can of worms, since by the same criteria dozens of state armies would qualify, including, some would argue, the US and many of its allies. Making its hypocrisy public will not help the US in the long run. Thanks to Trump, the US is already experiencing a credibility problem. Why make it worse?

Diluting the word "terrorist" is also unhelpful

Another serious concern, however, is that by over using the word "terrorist" one can end up diluting its impact. It is a bit like "sexual abuse". When grown up people start moping about sexual abuse because someone may have tried to touch their knee or stroke their hair, they are actually making a mockery of what abuse really is. They are enemies to the cause that claim to espouse, often for their selfish interests. 

The suffering inflicted by the IRGC, is undoubtedly a serious matter. They are worthy of the title, as they are responsible for "terror". Still, it is not what we generally mean when we speak of "terrorist", which always has the qualification "unlawful" associated with it. To use Trumps own words, there are probably some "very fine people" working for the IRGC. Branding them all terrorists is unhelpful.