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The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the U.S., and Iran's Global Ambitions
‘An excellent contribution to our knowledge of Iran and Soleimani.’ Kim Ghattas, author of Black Wave
When the US assassinated Qassem Soleimani, he was one of the most powerful men in Iran. Known as ‘the shadow commander’, he enacted the wishes of the country’s Supreme Leader across the Middle East, establishing the Islamic Republic as a major force in the region. But all this was a long way from where he began – on the margins of a nation whose ruler was seen as a friend of the West.
Through Soleimani, Arash Azizi examines how Iran came to be where it is today. Providing a rare insight into a country whose actions are often discussed but seldom understood, he reveals the global ambitions underlying Iran’s proxy wars, geopolitics and nuclear programme.
When the US assassinated Qassem Soleimani, he was one of the most powerful men in Iran. Known as ‘the shadow commander’, he enacted the wishes of the country’s Supreme Leader across the Middle East, establishing the Islamic Republic as a major force in the region. But all this was a long way from where he began – on the margins of a nation whose ruler was seen as a friend of the West.
Through Soleimani, Arash Azizi examines how Iran came to be where it is today. Providing a rare insight into a country whose actions are often discussed but seldom understood, he reveals the global ambitions underlying Iran’s proxy wars, geopolitics and nuclear programme.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 24, 2020
70 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Arash Azizi
14 books96 followersI write and flaneur. I live in New York.
نویسنده، مترجم، فلانور و پژوهشگر تاریخ. مقیم نیویورک.
نویسنده، مترجم، فلانور و پژوهشگر تاریخ. مقیم نیویورک.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 1, 2022
Great book about contemporary Iran's foreign policy using Qassem Soleimani's life as a thread line. The author is a good friend and also one of the most thoughtful people I know when it comes to foreign affairs in the Middle East. This book is not a straightforward reporting biography about Soleimani but more of a general lesson on Iran's role in the region. Azizi is skeptical about Soleimani and the IRGC's polarizing role both inside and outside Iran, hewing soberly to the facts while taking a distinctly Marxist perspective on the Islamic Republic. This is a great introduction for people wanting to get up to speed on Iran's foreign policy while learning a bit about its most famous contemporary martyr.
May 22, 2021
Just a string of glaring propaganda. This great Commander defeated ISIS and saved the west from its own devilish creation of terrorist groups.
Read this book if you wish to be mentally colonized and enslaved by western falsehoods. If you have no respect for your God-given intellect, devour this piece of pure falsification.
None of your endeavors can disarray the august memory of General Soleimani.
Read this book if you wish to be mentally colonized and enslaved by western falsehoods. If you have no respect for your God-given intellect, devour this piece of pure falsification.
None of your endeavors can disarray the august memory of General Soleimani.
November 27, 2020
Today, as never before was such a need for intellectual clarity and extensive information about the main actors - political, military, other - in the Middle East. Despite the abhorrent character and crimes perpetrated by some, it is important to know to whom belong those names that suddenly make it on the Breaking News.
The Shadow Commander. Soleimani, the US and Iran´s Global Ambitions by Arash Azizi is a noteworthy and the first substantial research in English on the biography of the general Qasem Soleimani, killed in an American drone attack at the beginning of this year near Baghdad International Airport.
A ´boy from the margins of the society´, a provincial karateka, his seamless raise on the top of the revolutionary Iran hierarchies and complicated intrigues occured during the Iran-Iraq war and further on, by leading various local operations in his native Kerman. Since January 1988 he was appointed on the top of the Quds - from Arabic al-Quds, ´the Holy one´ referring to the city of Jerusalem - Force that he will lead until his death, turning it ´into the most ambitious expeditionary army in the history of the modern Middle East´.
The soldier-diplomat Soleimani become feared and appreciated - depends on which side of the Sunni-Shia divide one´s stand - for his bloody attacks he perpetrated and the direct, sometimes spontaneous, involvement in various local battles. His death was celebrated openly in Iraq and Syria where his survival victims were still having fresh memories of his attacks. In Iran, a majestic set-up was ordered and display, soon after massive protests all over the country ended in a brutal crackdown. Soon after, the authorities hit accidentally - but refused to acknowledged for a long time - an Ukrainian airplane killing the 176 passengers on board, mostly young people searching for a stable and brighter life in Canada. Indeed, while busy to play bloody cards in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, what a big achievement of the Islamic Revolution and its proxies to be the cause of the massive brain drain in the country´s history!
The current minister of Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif, is portrayed - frequently and uncritically - as a fine diplomat, aimed to charm and sometimes charmed too, by a Western audience. He may have been more than once in conflict with Soleimani but the fact that he played on his music and acquiesced to the placing of Quds ´diplomats´ that perpetrated or planned acts of terror using the diplomatic network doesn´t diminish his responsibility within the regime.
Although the book deals with complex Middle Eastern policies, it is written in a very captivating style, with political facts evolving sometimes with a cinematic alacrity. The journalistic, non-pretentious yet informative style helps a lot to avoid information overload. After all, Soleimani was not any kind of academic, but a person of action and this approach suits both the reader and the subject.
Even for someone with basic to middle level of knowledge about local politics and Iranian ambitions, it was interesting to observe how Tehran in the post-Islamic Revolution realm ambitioned in turning into a Moscow of the Middle East. The desperate internationalism with a pregnant Shia Islam outreach ended up by creating deep divisions within the fellow Muslim countries. It also recalibrated dramatically the regional alliances until this very day: Once upon a time, countries like Turkey, Iran and Ethiopia were part of a larger policy of alliances endeavoured by Israel to counter the vocal - but often just for the sake of the cameras - Arab bloc. Nowadays, it´s the other way round, as both Iran and Turkey are lead by personalised regimes endangering the fragile post-Cold War geopolitical balances.
The damage in the region made by violent outtakes authored by Soleimani is hard to evaluate as for now. In the case of the beloved ´Palestinian case´, Soleimani´s interposers played and still playing more or less consciously a game that does not serve a long term solution to the conflict. Actually, it fuelled it by supporting radicalised actors whose only raison d´etre is a permanent state of conflict, otherwise they may be out of work. ´The Quds Force might still claim that it was a ´´voice of the oppressed´´ but in practice it had become an instruments of Iran´s state-based foreign policy of extending Iranian influence in the Aran world and doing so through sectarian Shia proxies´. Although I´ve found a bit forced more than once the comparisons between the left internationalist movements of the Cold War and the Shia-oriented one, when it comes to the Middle East, both Moscow and Tehran may be proud of playing their own dirty games in full disrespect of the free will of the everyday Palestinians.
Books like The Shadow Commander, on other main regional and Iranian players - no matter their despicability - aimed at an international audience are a very useful source of information for a different, realistic approach of a region that for the time being has the highest potential of ongoing frequent mentions on the Breaking News reports.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The Shadow Commander. Soleimani, the US and Iran´s Global Ambitions by Arash Azizi is a noteworthy and the first substantial research in English on the biography of the general Qasem Soleimani, killed in an American drone attack at the beginning of this year near Baghdad International Airport.
A ´boy from the margins of the society´, a provincial karateka, his seamless raise on the top of the revolutionary Iran hierarchies and complicated intrigues occured during the Iran-Iraq war and further on, by leading various local operations in his native Kerman. Since January 1988 he was appointed on the top of the Quds - from Arabic al-Quds, ´the Holy one´ referring to the city of Jerusalem - Force that he will lead until his death, turning it ´into the most ambitious expeditionary army in the history of the modern Middle East´.
The soldier-diplomat Soleimani become feared and appreciated - depends on which side of the Sunni-Shia divide one´s stand - for his bloody attacks he perpetrated and the direct, sometimes spontaneous, involvement in various local battles. His death was celebrated openly in Iraq and Syria where his survival victims were still having fresh memories of his attacks. In Iran, a majestic set-up was ordered and display, soon after massive protests all over the country ended in a brutal crackdown. Soon after, the authorities hit accidentally - but refused to acknowledged for a long time - an Ukrainian airplane killing the 176 passengers on board, mostly young people searching for a stable and brighter life in Canada. Indeed, while busy to play bloody cards in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, what a big achievement of the Islamic Revolution and its proxies to be the cause of the massive brain drain in the country´s history!
The current minister of Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif, is portrayed - frequently and uncritically - as a fine diplomat, aimed to charm and sometimes charmed too, by a Western audience. He may have been more than once in conflict with Soleimani but the fact that he played on his music and acquiesced to the placing of Quds ´diplomats´ that perpetrated or planned acts of terror using the diplomatic network doesn´t diminish his responsibility within the regime.
Although the book deals with complex Middle Eastern policies, it is written in a very captivating style, with political facts evolving sometimes with a cinematic alacrity. The journalistic, non-pretentious yet informative style helps a lot to avoid information overload. After all, Soleimani was not any kind of academic, but a person of action and this approach suits both the reader and the subject.
Even for someone with basic to middle level of knowledge about local politics and Iranian ambitions, it was interesting to observe how Tehran in the post-Islamic Revolution realm ambitioned in turning into a Moscow of the Middle East. The desperate internationalism with a pregnant Shia Islam outreach ended up by creating deep divisions within the fellow Muslim countries. It also recalibrated dramatically the regional alliances until this very day: Once upon a time, countries like Turkey, Iran and Ethiopia were part of a larger policy of alliances endeavoured by Israel to counter the vocal - but often just for the sake of the cameras - Arab bloc. Nowadays, it´s the other way round, as both Iran and Turkey are lead by personalised regimes endangering the fragile post-Cold War geopolitical balances.
The damage in the region made by violent outtakes authored by Soleimani is hard to evaluate as for now. In the case of the beloved ´Palestinian case´, Soleimani´s interposers played and still playing more or less consciously a game that does not serve a long term solution to the conflict. Actually, it fuelled it by supporting radicalised actors whose only raison d´etre is a permanent state of conflict, otherwise they may be out of work. ´The Quds Force might still claim that it was a ´´voice of the oppressed´´ but in practice it had become an instruments of Iran´s state-based foreign policy of extending Iranian influence in the Aran world and doing so through sectarian Shia proxies´. Although I´ve found a bit forced more than once the comparisons between the left internationalist movements of the Cold War and the Shia-oriented one, when it comes to the Middle East, both Moscow and Tehran may be proud of playing their own dirty games in full disrespect of the free will of the everyday Palestinians.
Books like The Shadow Commander, on other main regional and Iranian players - no matter their despicability - aimed at an international audience are a very useful source of information for a different, realistic approach of a region that for the time being has the highest potential of ongoing frequent mentions on the Breaking News reports.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
February 7, 2021
Unbelievably awful, I don't reccomend at all.
Very poorly written, very badly researched, does not stay on topic at all.
A huge waste of money.
If you're interested in Iran and its politics, I can personally recommend hundreds of other books instead of this.
Very poorly written, very badly researched, does not stay on topic at all.
A huge waste of money.
If you're interested in Iran and its politics, I can personally recommend hundreds of other books instead of this.
December 16, 2023
This book is the story of a warrior who grew from a childhood in back-country Iran (ear-RON) to a bold, courageous commander loved by his followers for his fearlessness and devotion to the cause. It is also a fascinating account of the years leading up to and following the 1979 overthrow of the Shah, the man put into power and beloved of Washington though hated by his people.
Five stars are deserved for both the personal story and the story of a country that Americans are told to hate by their government. Arash Azizi, an Iranian, tells both stories without falling into adulation or denunciation.
Soleimani was always eager to be at the center of action, no matter how dangerous that might be. He also had a talent for respecting local people; making them feel appreciated and needed for military support. This was the case throughout the long Iran/Iraq (ear-ROCK)war and continued into the chaotic years of the American invasion of Iraq, the Arab Spring (Iranians are mostly Persian, not Arab) the disintegration of Syria and the rise of ISIS. For all of his fearlessness and ability, Soleimani met his end torn to bits in a situation where his personal traits could not help him; assassinated in Iraq by President Trump.
For any American reader, constantly fed with a worshipful account of the invasion of Palestine by Zionists and the hatred called up during the hostage taking of Americans by the Republican Guard in 1979, this book is a treasury of information not slanted by emotion. One learns the details of Ayatollah Khomeini's rise to power and of the man behind the scowling visage. The personalities and programs of Iranian leaders that Americans knew in name only are detailed, all in an intense account that never flags while keeping Soleimani's life the central theme. He was an admirable man, whether or not one agrees with the cause to which he dedicated his life: support of the Islamic revolution that began in Iran and its expansion within the Muslim world.
Five stars are deserved for both the personal story and the story of a country that Americans are told to hate by their government. Arash Azizi, an Iranian, tells both stories without falling into adulation or denunciation.
Soleimani was always eager to be at the center of action, no matter how dangerous that might be. He also had a talent for respecting local people; making them feel appreciated and needed for military support. This was the case throughout the long Iran/Iraq (ear-ROCK)war and continued into the chaotic years of the American invasion of Iraq, the Arab Spring (Iranians are mostly Persian, not Arab) the disintegration of Syria and the rise of ISIS. For all of his fearlessness and ability, Soleimani met his end torn to bits in a situation where his personal traits could not help him; assassinated in Iraq by President Trump.
For any American reader, constantly fed with a worshipful account of the invasion of Palestine by Zionists and the hatred called up during the hostage taking of Americans by the Republican Guard in 1979, this book is a treasury of information not slanted by emotion. One learns the details of Ayatollah Khomeini's rise to power and of the man behind the scowling visage. The personalities and programs of Iranian leaders that Americans knew in name only are detailed, all in an intense account that never flags while keeping Soleimani's life the central theme. He was an admirable man, whether or not one agrees with the cause to which he dedicated his life: support of the Islamic revolution that began in Iran and its expansion within the Muslim world.
December 17, 2020
This is a book more about Iran than Soleimani. Obviously you can’t separate the two all the time, but there are times when you must.
Here’s some food for thought:
When Soleimani was killed, the first photo put out to the public was that of his severed hand with ring. The claim was that we knew it was him from the ring. Anyone in that circle knows that’s silly. He could’ve given the same ring to someone else, or it could’ve been a body double wearing the same ring. No. The way we confirm death is through DNA testing.
So then why put emphasis on “the ring?” I believe there’s a significance behind that ring, such that whoever put out the picture was trying to subtly hint at. I also believe there are other people in the world with that same ring, and that they have something in common with Qassem Soleimani.
Let’s see how well the above statement ages as we get more declas^^
If true, here’s what I want to know: was QS really born as a provincial nobody? Did he really “start from the bottom?” If so, what did he have to really do to rise through the ranks? To the point where he obtained that ring? Did he go through the same initiation process as the others who also wore the same ring? Who was he, or Khamanei, really working for?
I think fairly soon we will get some answers and a true, private, and devastating biography is due in the future.
Here’s some food for thought:
When Soleimani was killed, the first photo put out to the public was that of his severed hand with ring. The claim was that we knew it was him from the ring. Anyone in that circle knows that’s silly. He could’ve given the same ring to someone else, or it could’ve been a body double wearing the same ring. No. The way we confirm death is through DNA testing.
So then why put emphasis on “the ring?” I believe there’s a significance behind that ring, such that whoever put out the picture was trying to subtly hint at. I also believe there are other people in the world with that same ring, and that they have something in common with Qassem Soleimani.
Let’s see how well the above statement ages as we get more declas^^
If true, here’s what I want to know: was QS really born as a provincial nobody? Did he really “start from the bottom?” If so, what did he have to really do to rise through the ranks? To the point where he obtained that ring? Did he go through the same initiation process as the others who also wore the same ring? Who was he, or Khamanei, really working for?
I think fairly soon we will get some answers and a true, private, and devastating biography is due in the future.
September 26, 2023
This was a very interesting book about the enigmatic and controversial person of IRGC Quds commander, general Soleimani. Through the entire book I am still not clear what author wanted to depict here - patriot fighting for ideals of his country or opressive hidden blade in hands of the Iran's government?
And this is main issue with the book.
When you look at the content, actual talk about Soleimani is maybe a quarter of it. Rest is related to the background - political scene and violent armed struggle in the Middle East and South Asia - both those that affected general's life and those affected by him.
Presentation is not dry historical facts, but facts expressed in a rather dynamic novelesque way. This makes the book definitely more readable but also loses some of the elements that should be part of the historical presentation - and this is bias. Same as book I read before this one, bias is heavily present, but unlike that book, I am not clear what was the author's goal here.
Book shows few tendencies I noticed in other works on the same subject:
Veneration of Arab Spring, revolutionary wave that in my opinion was single most cataclysmic event for local people (diaspora was obviously cheering for the change, but diaspora usually has no idea what is actually going on in the old country, this is common to all countries with very large diaspora comunity) that left almost entire North Africa and Middle East in shambles - Algiers and Tunisia faring better than others, Lybia destroyed and brought back to middle age fiefdoms, and Syria pushed to bitter ethnic/religious civil war but still managing to survive as a state. To call this progress .... I would just say to all these viewers from outside, please go live and enjoy the revolution. I think very soon you will lose taste for it. Hopefully some day we will get to know what was Arab Spring actually all about.
Again claim that Sunni Shia schism is artificial. In a part of the world where grudges etween same religious groups go back millenia? Not to mention that events from crusades are as alive in peoples minds as if they took place last month? Ridiculous.
And finally, author needs to decide if Shia's are minoriy in Iraq, or minor majority - having these two definitions within two pages was so funny. And I wish author would decide to stop talking about exiles fighting wars on their own land as 'they decided to fight their own country' (Iraqi Shia's) - what, MEK is not fighting against their own country? Every political exile that joined other nation to fight for what they think is just for their homeland are always fighting against their own country (i.e. French resistance). So is it necessary to write something like this?
Author constantly intertwines various social movements in Iran (communists, socialists, radical religious leaders) mixed with ever present wars (Iraq-Iran war, Lebanon, Yemen etc) as a backdrop to rising career of general Soleimani. Did Iran use the events and turmoil to pursue national goals, definitely. Did they ride on the wave of religious zealotry and used other groups for their own advancement, definitely. But what did they do that is so different from others? Who is to judge them? Alliance that is more concentrated on rewriting maps and countries, that destroyed Lybia and stepped away, destroyed Iraq (I mean, people, Poland and Japan were part of forces invading Iraq!) for nebulous reason (and in that fine retroactive mea-culpa manner said after couple of years, darn we made a mistake)? Saudi Arabia with their own meddlings in the region and multi decade involvement in Yemen? Unfortunately we live in a world where who has power also finds ways to use it. We can paint it rosey as much as we like but facts remain facts. I wish things were different but if anything history tought us that it does not work with single power approach, there needs to be ablance but with that balance there are more players pushing their national interests and as a result we end up in conflicts. This is why diplomacy is required.
In general very interesting presentation becomes a bit preachy and skips a lot of hot topics (everyone involved with Iran is dictator and bloodthirsty but how did all the parties got involved in the first place? hmm, not that much details here which is shame; no mention on how Shia's were hunted and persecuted by both ISIS and AlQaeda in Iraq and Syria (AQ was part of the rebel forces fighting in Syria against Assad and Iran supporters - I mean, go figure) or any potential upside of for example keeping Assad's regime alive and avoiding current Lybian scenario) but then delivers a lot when it comes to:
- Christopher Hitchens and his stand on war in Iraq (greatest disappointment ever)
- Very complex national structure of Iran and points of contention with their Arab neighbors
- Israel's support to Iran during the war with Iraq
- openess of Iran to talks with the West but West's (with Israel) continuous rejection of any discussion, especially after fall of Soviet Union and rise of single dominant power characterized by US neocon movement
- Initial joining of forces between US and Iran for activities in Afghanistan that US neocons (bane of the world, as future events will prove) sunk because They Are The Masters of The Universe!
- Cooperation between US/NATO and Iran against ISIS in Iraq and Syria
In background of all of this we follow general Soleimani as eponymus shadow building his career as IRGC commander in Iraq-Iran war, fighting drug cartels on Afghanistan and Pakistan border and finally becoming the person who builds the Quds into deadly weapon it is now. He starts as a very likeable hero, capable commander able to turn the tide of war by being present on the very frontline and then in last third of the book he becomes Ernest Blofeld ...... which does not make sense. This was rather a let down and another proof of author's rather unbalanced presentation. While trying to say nothing as a conclusion, we are constantly on the edge, wondering are we to condemn Soleimani for his radical views or treat him as a highly capable patriotic military commander?
It says a lot when one side dedicates a whole book about the general that caused them whole lots of pain. Rommel comes to mind although for your average non-Middle Eastern reader, Iran is here-are-dragons country, arch enemy of everything, unfortunately even more than was German army in WW2 with its ties to Nazism. General Soleimani was definitely a very capable commander although lots of things he was involved in are still secret and might come up in future history books. Was he a zealot? Definitely, after all he was a high ranking commander in what is for all means and purposes theocraticaly led society, but arent high ranking military commanders usually zealots when it comes to their country, one they give oath to serve and guard? In all honesty if somebody asked me what I think of Soleiman after reading the book, I would say very successful general that stepped on too many toes in the end and ended killed by remote control. Not that different from Patton or MacArthur when it comes to eccentricities in the end. They all aimed at utter destruction of their enemy, no matter the civilian casualties and became too much involved in politics that made them dangerous.
Very interesting book that tells a lot about a very complex history and interactions in the area and about country that is still treated as a comic book villain by West. If only author did not decide to be preachy and instead opted to stick to his opinion with a conclusion on the character of general Soleimani (instead of chosing the 'and he went mad' approach) it would be much better book.
Because of this lack of general course I am giving book three stars.
Recommended to military history buffs and everyone interested in history and politics of Middle East and South Asia.
And this is main issue with the book.
When you look at the content, actual talk about Soleimani is maybe a quarter of it. Rest is related to the background - political scene and violent armed struggle in the Middle East and South Asia - both those that affected general's life and those affected by him.
Presentation is not dry historical facts, but facts expressed in a rather dynamic novelesque way. This makes the book definitely more readable but also loses some of the elements that should be part of the historical presentation - and this is bias. Same as book I read before this one, bias is heavily present, but unlike that book, I am not clear what was the author's goal here.
Book shows few tendencies I noticed in other works on the same subject:
Veneration of Arab Spring, revolutionary wave that in my opinion was single most cataclysmic event for local people (diaspora was obviously cheering for the change, but diaspora usually has no idea what is actually going on in the old country, this is common to all countries with very large diaspora comunity) that left almost entire North Africa and Middle East in shambles - Algiers and Tunisia faring better than others, Lybia destroyed and brought back to middle age fiefdoms, and Syria pushed to bitter ethnic/religious civil war but still managing to survive as a state. To call this progress .... I would just say to all these viewers from outside, please go live and enjoy the revolution. I think very soon you will lose taste for it. Hopefully some day we will get to know what was Arab Spring actually all about.
Again claim that Sunni Shia schism is artificial. In a part of the world where grudges etween same religious groups go back millenia? Not to mention that events from crusades are as alive in peoples minds as if they took place last month? Ridiculous.
And finally, author needs to decide if Shia's are minoriy in Iraq, or minor majority - having these two definitions within two pages was so funny. And I wish author would decide to stop talking about exiles fighting wars on their own land as 'they decided to fight their own country' (Iraqi Shia's) - what, MEK is not fighting against their own country? Every political exile that joined other nation to fight for what they think is just for their homeland are always fighting against their own country (i.e. French resistance). So is it necessary to write something like this?
Author constantly intertwines various social movements in Iran (communists, socialists, radical religious leaders) mixed with ever present wars (Iraq-Iran war, Lebanon, Yemen etc) as a backdrop to rising career of general Soleimani. Did Iran use the events and turmoil to pursue national goals, definitely. Did they ride on the wave of religious zealotry and used other groups for their own advancement, definitely. But what did they do that is so different from others? Who is to judge them? Alliance that is more concentrated on rewriting maps and countries, that destroyed Lybia and stepped away, destroyed Iraq (I mean, people, Poland and Japan were part of forces invading Iraq!) for nebulous reason (and in that fine retroactive mea-culpa manner said after couple of years, darn we made a mistake)? Saudi Arabia with their own meddlings in the region and multi decade involvement in Yemen? Unfortunately we live in a world where who has power also finds ways to use it. We can paint it rosey as much as we like but facts remain facts. I wish things were different but if anything history tought us that it does not work with single power approach, there needs to be ablance but with that balance there are more players pushing their national interests and as a result we end up in conflicts. This is why diplomacy is required.
In general very interesting presentation becomes a bit preachy and skips a lot of hot topics (everyone involved with Iran is dictator and bloodthirsty but how did all the parties got involved in the first place? hmm, not that much details here which is shame; no mention on how Shia's were hunted and persecuted by both ISIS and AlQaeda in Iraq and Syria (AQ was part of the rebel forces fighting in Syria against Assad and Iran supporters - I mean, go figure) or any potential upside of for example keeping Assad's regime alive and avoiding current Lybian scenario) but then delivers a lot when it comes to:
- Christopher Hitchens and his stand on war in Iraq (greatest disappointment ever)
- Very complex national structure of Iran and points of contention with their Arab neighbors
- Israel's support to Iran during the war with Iraq
- openess of Iran to talks with the West but West's (with Israel) continuous rejection of any discussion, especially after fall of Soviet Union and rise of single dominant power characterized by US neocon movement
- Initial joining of forces between US and Iran for activities in Afghanistan that US neocons (bane of the world, as future events will prove) sunk because They Are The Masters of The Universe!
- Cooperation between US/NATO and Iran against ISIS in Iraq and Syria
In background of all of this we follow general Soleimani as eponymus shadow building his career as IRGC commander in Iraq-Iran war, fighting drug cartels on Afghanistan and Pakistan border and finally becoming the person who builds the Quds into deadly weapon it is now. He starts as a very likeable hero, capable commander able to turn the tide of war by being present on the very frontline and then in last third of the book he becomes Ernest Blofeld ...... which does not make sense. This was rather a let down and another proof of author's rather unbalanced presentation. While trying to say nothing as a conclusion, we are constantly on the edge, wondering are we to condemn Soleimani for his radical views or treat him as a highly capable patriotic military commander?
It says a lot when one side dedicates a whole book about the general that caused them whole lots of pain. Rommel comes to mind although for your average non-Middle Eastern reader, Iran is here-are-dragons country, arch enemy of everything, unfortunately even more than was German army in WW2 with its ties to Nazism. General Soleimani was definitely a very capable commander although lots of things he was involved in are still secret and might come up in future history books. Was he a zealot? Definitely, after all he was a high ranking commander in what is for all means and purposes theocraticaly led society, but arent high ranking military commanders usually zealots when it comes to their country, one they give oath to serve and guard? In all honesty if somebody asked me what I think of Soleiman after reading the book, I would say very successful general that stepped on too many toes in the end and ended killed by remote control. Not that different from Patton or MacArthur when it comes to eccentricities in the end. They all aimed at utter destruction of their enemy, no matter the civilian casualties and became too much involved in politics that made them dangerous.
Very interesting book that tells a lot about a very complex history and interactions in the area and about country that is still treated as a comic book villain by West. If only author did not decide to be preachy and instead opted to stick to his opinion with a conclusion on the character of general Soleimani (instead of chosing the 'and he went mad' approach) it would be much better book.
Because of this lack of general course I am giving book three stars.
Recommended to military history buffs and everyone interested in history and politics of Middle East and South Asia.
March 12, 2021
I was very pleasantly surprised. I expected a very by-the-book biography of Soleimani, but what I got was actually a great introduction to modern Iranian history and a comprehensive explanation to Iran’s post-revolutionary foreign policy and culture.
Arash Azizi is very successful in describing the cultural background of Iran in many of its most central moments and really knows how to “set up a scene”. While much of the information could be detailed further, it’s an excellent springboard if your knowledge of the modern Middle-Eastern conflicts is superficial.
Arash Azizi is very successful in describing the cultural background of Iran in many of its most central moments and really knows how to “set up a scene”. While much of the information could be detailed further, it’s an excellent springboard if your knowledge of the modern Middle-Eastern conflicts is superficial.
October 3, 2024
معالم حياة سليماني في هذا الكتاب:
تعامل إيران والحرس الثوري مع أميركا وإسرائيل واستيراد أسلحة منهم لحرب العراق (حرب الخليج الأولى)، وتحريض سليماني -وهنا بداية ظهوره الدولي- لأحزاب أفغانستان المتناحرة على الطالبان، ثم مساعدة حلف الشمال -بعد تمكن الطلبة- عليهم، ثم إعانة الغزو الأميركي على الإمارة في أفغانستان، ثم التحالف مع «الشيطان الأكبر» على غزو العراق، ثم مع روسيا على مسلمي الشام. هذا كله بعمل سليماني وسعيه.
هذا وحزبهم في لبنان -الذي يشرف عليه سليماني كذلك- جزء من هذا المخطط.
(الطريف أنّ الكتّاب الإيرانيين والمتأيرنين وكتّاب الحزب يشرّعون كل أفعالهم بمحاربة عملاء الامبريالية وإسرائيل، يريدون المجاهدين، حتى معاداتهم لممالك الخليج علّتها هذه).
الكتاب عبارة عن سليماني بحجمه الطبيعي: لئيم المضرِب، رَذلٌ، ذا سيرة مُقعدة عن الكرم والشرف، لا حجم شهادة الزور التي قيل فيها أنه «شهيد القدس»!
تعامل إيران والحرس الثوري مع أميركا وإسرائيل واستيراد أسلحة منهم لحرب العراق (حرب الخليج الأولى)، وتحريض سليماني -وهنا بداية ظهوره الدولي- لأحزاب أفغانستان المتناحرة على الطالبان، ثم مساعدة حلف الشمال -بعد تمكن الطلبة- عليهم، ثم إعانة الغزو الأميركي على الإمارة في أفغانستان، ثم التحالف مع «الشيطان الأكبر» على غزو العراق، ثم مع روسيا على مسلمي الشام. هذا كله بعمل سليماني وسعيه.
هذا وحزبهم في لبنان -الذي يشرف عليه سليماني كذلك- جزء من هذا المخطط.
(الطريف أنّ الكتّاب الإيرانيين والمتأيرنين وكتّاب الحزب يشرّعون كل أفعالهم بمحاربة عملاء الامبريالية وإسرائيل، يريدون المجاهدين، حتى معاداتهم لممالك الخليج علّتها هذه).
الكتاب عبارة عن سليماني بحجمه الطبيعي: لئيم المضرِب، رَذلٌ، ذا سيرة مُقعدة عن الكرم والشرف، لا حجم شهادة الزور التي قيل فيها أنه «شهيد القدس»!
August 14, 2023
3 stars [Foreign Affairs]
(W: 2.89, U: 2.73, T: 2.92)
Exact rating: 2.85
Four chapters in, it was barely about Soleimani. I didn't figure out what genre it was until at least halfway through!
A mild socialist viewpoint, but it didn't get in the way too much.
When Azizi finally got to Soleimani, the exposition of the inner workings of Iran's foreign adventurism in the Middle East from 1982 to 2020 made the book worthwhile.
(W: 2.89, U: 2.73, T: 2.92)
Exact rating: 2.85
Four chapters in, it was barely about Soleimani. I didn't figure out what genre it was until at least halfway through!
A mild socialist viewpoint, but it didn't get in the way too much.
When Azizi finally got to Soleimani, the exposition of the inner workings of Iran's foreign adventurism in the Middle East from 1982 to 2020 made the book worthwhile.
November 28, 2020
It is rather hard to find a good book that is a page-turner and also tells you the inner-dynamics of Iran and the region as astutely as a historian. Through the life of Qassem Soleimani, Azizi tells the story of the political culture of Iran, intertwined with the Middle East and USA. Dabashi’s Iran: A People Interrupted captured the audience now a decade ago, through the intellectual dynamics in the country. Azizi’s book provides a different window into the region, Iran, and the world politics, by telling the story of the local, and regional local politics.
The book’s first half is Soleimani’s and Islamic Republic of Iran’s rise to formation until Khomeini’s death. The book starts with the geo-politics of Iran prior to revolution, and the apolitic detachment of the tribal regions to the center. It follows how the people were mobilized, under the rhetorics of Khomeini and mobilized to fight against Iraq, with in cases strategically suicidal plans. Most importantly, it shows the importance of the small wins in the war, and how this enabled the Khomeini and the new ruling class to encourage people to continue. At the same time, Azizi transfers the audience to Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the region, through the ventures of Sadr’s and other Iranians in mobilizing Shia’s outside of Iran. Soleimani’s military accolades and Iran’s regional ambitions grow at the same time, creating the space for the future commander.
The second half of the book is the post-Khomeini, but also post-war period where regional politics including Iran is not stable. The book follows the inner dynamics of Iran skillfully, drawing attention to areas of crime gangs, and Soleimani’s rise to power as he succession to Khameini’s radar as he rids these areas of crime. Azizi shows how the Quds Force and Soleimani’s involvement in global affaits is product of political tension and power fears. The last three chapters of the book explain in detail Soleimani’s and Iran’s global ambitions from their support to Hezbollah, Hamas, PIJ and others, to their fights against Taliban and ISIS.
Azizi by contextualizing Soleimani’s life path within Iranian cities, politics, region and the world, lets the reader visualize the narrative. I recommend this book to all that’s interested in the Middle East and regional politics.
The book’s first half is Soleimani’s and Islamic Republic of Iran’s rise to formation until Khomeini’s death. The book starts with the geo-politics of Iran prior to revolution, and the apolitic detachment of the tribal regions to the center. It follows how the people were mobilized, under the rhetorics of Khomeini and mobilized to fight against Iraq, with in cases strategically suicidal plans. Most importantly, it shows the importance of the small wins in the war, and how this enabled the Khomeini and the new ruling class to encourage people to continue. At the same time, Azizi transfers the audience to Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the region, through the ventures of Sadr’s and other Iranians in mobilizing Shia’s outside of Iran. Soleimani’s military accolades and Iran’s regional ambitions grow at the same time, creating the space for the future commander.
The second half of the book is the post-Khomeini, but also post-war period where regional politics including Iran is not stable. The book follows the inner dynamics of Iran skillfully, drawing attention to areas of crime gangs, and Soleimani’s rise to power as he succession to Khameini’s radar as he rids these areas of crime. Azizi shows how the Quds Force and Soleimani’s involvement in global affaits is product of political tension and power fears. The last three chapters of the book explain in detail Soleimani’s and Iran’s global ambitions from their support to Hezbollah, Hamas, PIJ and others, to their fights against Taliban and ISIS.
Azizi by contextualizing Soleimani’s life path within Iranian cities, politics, region and the world, lets the reader visualize the narrative. I recommend this book to all that’s interested in the Middle East and regional politics.
December 26, 2020
This is great book. So gripping, A story of how a nation ruined its present and future. A five-star book for me.
November 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more of Arash Azizi’s works in the future. This isn’t a typical biography because Azizi spends a considerable portion of the book describing broader events in Iran during Qassem Soleimani’s adolescence and military career. (Nevertheless, I think Azizi succeeded in describing his life in the midst of tremendous social, political, and economic change in Iran). Although I have read a lot about the Iranian Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran during my undergraduate studies, I did not find Azizi’s content to be repetitive or similar to other works I have read in either his writing on Soleimani’s life and the broader issues in the country (revolution, the new regime, war, etc). I really appreciated that Azizi described the Shah’s regime, the 1979 Revolution, and the Iran-Iraq War at the local level. I didn’t know too much about the weather, culture, economy, or politics of the Kerman Province, and certainly nothing about Soleimani’s hometown, Qanat-e Malek, before reading this. Furthermore, I appreciated Azizi’s Marxist lens, even though I do not approach history from that perspective. This interpretation of various events throughout Soleimani’s lifetime made the book very engaging in my opinion.
February 1, 2021
A superficial take on Iranian shadowy general Qassem Soleimani
Recently I read Ronen Bergman’s Rise and Kill First and was impressed by the book’s depth and access to primary documentation and main players. This book suffers in comparison. It’s very superficial with little access to original material and players. It has the depth of a newspaper article. There’s very little information about Soleimani himself (not surprising considering that he was a shadowy figure). Needless to say that I was disappointed by this book.
Recently I read Ronen Bergman’s Rise and Kill First and was impressed by the book’s depth and access to primary documentation and main players. This book suffers in comparison. It’s very superficial with little access to original material and players. It has the depth of a newspaper article. There’s very little information about Soleimani himself (not surprising considering that he was a shadowy figure). Needless to say that I was disappointed by this book.
May 22, 2021
What a waste of time....
The book doesn't offer new insight and the author engages in wild unsubstantiated facts.
The book doesn't offer new insight and the author engages in wild unsubstantiated facts.
July 19, 2025
The Islamic Republic of Iran felt the need to create a hero — a symbol to rally around. Throughout history, especially in Shiite tradition, there has always been a reliance on both real and legendary heroes to sustain mourning rituals and simultaneously inspire hope. Qasim Soleimani became that figure. He was famously described as having breakfast in Tehran, lunch in Beirut, and dinner in Baghdad, Damascus, or any of the other countries where he held influence. I remember during the selection of Iraq’s prime minister, it was commonly said that regardless of how many seats each bloc held, it would ultimately be Qasim — and by extension, Iran — who would decide who takes power in Iraq. Azizi carefully examines Soleimani’s role in shaping proxy conflicts, from Iraq to Syria and Lebanon. As a reader, I appreciated how the book balances biography with regional history, giving a clearer understanding of why Soleimani became so powerful and what his legacy truly means.
December 15, 2020
An impressive feat to release the book less than a year after Soleimani's death. The book goes into depth on Iranian history, culture and politics. It also highlights the impact of Iran on regional and global level. As someone who loves history, my knowledge of Iranian history- and the Middle East as a whole- was not up to par. The Shadow Commander provided great insight into the Iranian world. The authors knowledge and background provide great insights into Iranian society and make this a must read for those wishing to explore and learn more.
July 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this. I've learned a lot about IRGC and the Post-Revolution Iranian politics and geopolitical strategy. It's less of a book squarely focused on Soleimani and more around putting him and his actions in perspective considering the Iranian and regional politics and recent history. Happy to recommend.
January 27, 2021
A very entertaining book with quite a few interesting facts such as how Karate came to Kerman.
That was BTW one of the main reasons why I have read the book in the first place.
I would appreciate to read more from the writer in the future.
That was BTW one of the main reasons why I have read the book in the first place.
I would appreciate to read more from the writer in the future.
January 23, 2024
Hooter: A brief history of the growth and influnece of Soleimani on the global stage of geo-politics
From his origins in a small dusty town to a big player on the global stage, this book was a good briefer for me to understand how he was centre of a lot of the Middle Eastern geo-politics, a smart yet principled persona is showcased in this book as he makes strange bedfellows through out his journey keeping his Iranian political stakeholders protected.
From his origins in a small dusty town to a big player on the global stage, this book was a good briefer for me to understand how he was centre of a lot of the Middle Eastern geo-politics, a smart yet principled persona is showcased in this book as he makes strange bedfellows through out his journey keeping his Iranian political stakeholders protected.
August 7, 2024
Also an insightful summary of Iranian history from 1979 up to now
May 22, 2021
Really inaccurate book that does not provide a true account of the Iranian general. Pure lies.
May 22, 2021
Horribly biased trash
May 22, 2021
The person who write this should be embarassed, and is a traitor to Iran and a stooge of Israel.
May 22, 2021
Garbage
May 22, 2021
Pure Mossad propaganda from somebody who have no idea what they're talking about
January 8, 2022
A very informative read. I knew about Soleimani for several years prior to his death. However, I feel most Americans only learned about him after his assassination via an American predator drone on the orders of President Trump. When he was killed much of progressive American Twitter (red roses and self-important bios and such) acted as if this was the sequel to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This was followed by hysteria over an imminent war with Iran (which any person with even half a wit knew wasn't a possibility). My question was why the reaction? This is a guy who helped set the region ablaze and left a long trail of dead bodies in the process while feeding ruthless militias, sectarianism, despotism, and antisemitism.
The book gives the Soleimani origin story and begins with his humble youth in a rural region of Iran, his interest in marital-arts, his rise during the Iran-Iraq war, and subsequent highly effective and feared Revolutionary Guard and Al Quds Force commander. His career was largely made up of stunning successes in Balochistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and one could make the argument Yemen as well. Some misses in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait; but overall a highly effective commander helping to cement Iran as a true regional power- despite having few friends and allies.
A good read on one of the important men of the past few decades. Your views on Soleimani and takeaways will largely be rooted in your preexisting notions and politics. If you're a Syrian, Lebanese and Iraqi Sunni, a Kurd, a Palestinian, Iranian dissident, supporter of Israel, or someone with a commitment to human rights you probably did a toast when that Predator Drone turned Hajj Qasim into dust. If you're a supporter of the Iranian regime and the "Axis of Resistance", or just an American on social media with a minimal amount of intelligence and no moral compass, it was probably a little bit of a tearjerker.
The book gives the Soleimani origin story and begins with his humble youth in a rural region of Iran, his interest in marital-arts, his rise during the Iran-Iraq war, and subsequent highly effective and feared Revolutionary Guard and Al Quds Force commander. His career was largely made up of stunning successes in Balochistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and one could make the argument Yemen as well. Some misses in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait; but overall a highly effective commander helping to cement Iran as a true regional power- despite having few friends and allies.
A good read on one of the important men of the past few decades. Your views on Soleimani and takeaways will largely be rooted in your preexisting notions and politics. If you're a Syrian, Lebanese and Iraqi Sunni, a Kurd, a Palestinian, Iranian dissident, supporter of Israel, or someone with a commitment to human rights you probably did a toast when that Predator Drone turned Hajj Qasim into dust. If you're a supporter of the Iranian regime and the "Axis of Resistance", or just an American on social media with a minimal amount of intelligence and no moral compass, it was probably a little bit of a tearjerker.
September 17, 2023
Rollercoaster of events not only around Soleimani, but also around every actor involved in the quagmire that is the Middle East, but of course Soleimani, a man who was an “evil-genius adversary” for US in life and a “nightmare” in death, would gather the center stage.
It is a sad story, given the experience of going through these pages full of killings mentioned only in numbers, of people as if without any names and faces. Hard to find a hero emerging from the scratches of Syria, ashes of Iraq, lonely and left houses of Lebanon, ghettos of Gaza and so on. Soleimani did leave a mark, so many chanting his name in hope, and equally in relief…
Great experience to read this book!
It is a sad story, given the experience of going through these pages full of killings mentioned only in numbers, of people as if without any names and faces. Hard to find a hero emerging from the scratches of Syria, ashes of Iraq, lonely and left houses of Lebanon, ghettos of Gaza and so on. Soleimani did leave a mark, so many chanting his name in hope, and equally in relief…
Great experience to read this book!
January 17, 2021
It was okay... It's an overview of Qassem Soleimani's life, from pre-revolutionary Iran to his death a few days into 2020. Perhaps I was expecting more revelations regarding what he was up to in Syria, Iran, and Lebanon over the last 15 years. Much of the information the author gave was already previously known.
February 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book very much, I found the first part of the book helpful as regards setting the political and historical scene of the area and of Iran.
I sometimes did get lost in the many groups and personalities engaged with Quassem Soleimani but the book in my opinion shines a real light on this particular personality and his undoubted commitment to Shia Islam and Iran
I sometimes did get lost in the many groups and personalities engaged with Quassem Soleimani but the book in my opinion shines a real light on this particular personality and his undoubted commitment to Shia Islam and Iran
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