Analysis: The U.S. killed one of Iran's top military leaders, but that doesn’t mean World War III. Here's why:
The Last Shah: Iran, America and the Fall of the Pahlavi DynastyAfter years of striding across the Middle East seemingly in command of the region, General Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s Quds Brigade, was finally killed by American airstrikes early Friday morning. History will not mourn one of the great mass murderers of our time who was responsible for scores of dead, mostly Arab and American. Soleimani was not just the face of Iranian terrorism—he represented its changing dimensions.
Under the watchful eye of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Soleimani began expanding Iran’s imperial frontiers. For the first time in its history, Iran became a true regional power, stretching its influence from the banks of the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. Soleimani understood that Persians would not be willing to die in distant battlefields for the sake of Arabs, so he focused on recruiting Arabs and Afghans as an auxiliary force.
Ali Khamenei is a cagey leader who did not become one of the longest serving rulers in the Middle East by impetuously going to war with America. The clerical oligarchs respect American determination and understand the imbalance between a superpower and a struggling regional actor. They have never figured out Donald Trump, a U.S. president who offers unconditional talks while working to crater the Iranian economy.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Death of Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, Iran's man in BaghdadThe US strike on Baghdad's international airport early Friday also killed the PMU leader's personal friend and top commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, Qasem Soleimani.
Read more »
After Soleimani’s Death, the Balancing Act in the Middle East Just Got TougherThe Quds Force commander was killed by an American strike just as Iran’s regional sphere of influence has come under threat—from the Middle East’s own people.
Read more »
Indonesia plans cloud seeding as flash flood death tolls exceeds 40Indonesia will carry out cloud seeding in a bid to prevent further rainfall over the capital Jakarta after the death toll rose to 43 while tens of thousands of people have been displaced.
Read more »