The Shadow Commander cover art

The Shadow Commander

Soleimani, the US, and Iran’s Global Ambitions

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The Shadow Commander

By: Arash Azizi
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
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About this listen

Until his assassination by US drone strike in January 2020, commander Qassem Soleimani was one of the most powerful men in Iran and the military spearhead for Iranian foreign policy, enacting the wishes of the country's Supreme Leader in the region. A widely popular but also feared maverick operator, he helped to establish the Islamic Republic as a major force in the Middle East, with interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. This was a long way from where he began as a youth, living on the margins in a country ruled by a monarch supported by the United States.

In this engaging account, historian Arash Azizi examines Soleimani's life, regional influence, and ambitions. The Shadow Commander breaks new ground through interviews with Iranians, Afghans, Iraqis, and Syrians who knew Soleimani for years, including his personal driver, the aides who accompanied him to his Moscow meeting with Vladimir Putin, and his brother. Ultimately, Azizi uses the story of this one important figure to make sense of the global ambitions of Iran, a country whose actions are much talked about but seldom understood.

©2020 Arash Azizi (P)2020 Tantor Historical Middle East Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Military Russia Iran War Royalty Iran Iraq War

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All stars
Most relevant
Not so much a biography as it is a history of the Revolutionary Guard in which the titular subject happens to play an active part.

Decent History-but not a biography

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"The Shadow Commander" by Arash Azizi is a well-researched and gripping biography of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force who was assassinated by the United States in January 2020. Azizi's book offers an insightful and intimate look at the man behind Iran's shadowy military operations across the Middle East.
The author's writing style is clear and engaging, making it easy for readers to follow the complex political and military landscape of the Middle East. Azizi provides a detailed account of Soleimani's early life, rise to power, and the key events that shaped his career. From his early days as a soldier in the Iran-Iraq war to his leadership in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, Azizi covers all aspects of Soleimani's life.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is Azizi's ability to humanize Soleimani while also acknowledging his brutal tactics. The author portrays Soleimani as a complex figure with a deep love for Iran and a fierce dedication to defending his country's interests. At the same time, Azizi does not shy away from discussing the atrocities committed by the Quds Force under Soleimani's leadership, including the killing of hundreds of Syrian civilians and the use of torture and violence to suppress dissent.
Azizi also sheds light on the strategic vision that drove Soleimani's military campaigns across the Middle East. The author shows how Soleimani's tactics of supporting local militias and guerrilla groups, as well as his ability to exploit political divisions, allowed Iran to expand its influence in the region.
Overall, "The Shadow Commander" is a compelling and informative read that provides valuable insights into the man who was one of the most powerful and feared military commanders in the Middle East. Azizi's meticulous research, engaging writing style, and nuanced portrayal of Soleimani make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the geopolitics of the region.

Very well written

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Fantastic book but with a strange detailed description of an Israeli family meal in occupied Palestine. With no counterbalanced description of other nationalities humanity, this passage just seems a little out of place, in what is a very factual book. The tragedy that is the middle east and the tragic atrocities that happen in Palestine needs balance. Apart from that the book is excexceptional.

Fantastic book wierd bit in the middle.

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You can tell the Arthur wrote this book as a historian ! This is not a Soleimani Biography.
Arash Azizi was an excellent journalist in BBC Persian ! That helped him to write this book

We need more book like this about Middle East
I hope he write something about MEK AND Masoud Rajavi ! Tell the world about the strange ideologies

Fast track of IRGC AND ISLAMIC REV HISTORY

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Way too many times the story goes off on a tangent, talking about movie actors, origin of karate, local foods etc.

Too little info on Mr. Sole Imani

Book is romantizing his life, struggle, presenting him as a above human character.

Gives some useful insight in how the religious fanatics perceive Soleimani, which is - I suppose - "reality" to them.

Keeps a bit of patience - or lack of more neutral/fact up material

Romantizing a terrorist commander

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