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Political uncertainty continues in the Middle East
The assassination of General Qasem Soleimani has brought the danger of increased conflict closer. JANE GREEN assesses the current situation
Posters of anti-government protesters who have been killed in demonstrations are displayed in Tahrir Square during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq

THE death toll following the US assassination of Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) commander General Qasem Soleimani currently runs at over 200, with over 60 civilians being crushed in scenes of grief at Soleimani’s funeral and 176 deaths in the shooting down of the Ukranian civilian airliner, which the Iranian regime has admitted was a tragic mistake.

Neither of these events would have taken place without the assassination of Soleimani and both are examples of the unintended consequences which can follow on from significant political and military decisions.

The official Iranian regime response to the assassination has been strangely muted, with a relatively low-key rocket attack on US air bases inside Iraq, with no reported casualties.  

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