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Informationen zum Autor James is Associate Professor in International Relations and Middle East Studies at the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of LeedsAlam Saleh was a Lecturer in International Relations at Lancaster University and in Middle East Politics at the University of Exeter Klappentext The targeted assassination of Major-General Qasem Soleimani on 3 January 2020 brought into sharp focus the expansion of Iran's irregular warfare capabilities and network of highly capable proxy actors. This network, overseen by the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and its mysterious and charismatic leader, has become a critical actor in shaping the Middle East. Painting the General fills a key gap in our knowledge of this phenomenon by exploring the role, image and framing of the Qods Force leader as a newly omnipotent and all conquering Iranian hero who has propped up the Islamic Republic's waning support internally and acted as a potent foreign policy symbol and rallying point externally. The book explores the multiple dimensions of Hajj Qasem's image, its construction, use and reception among different audiences. Bridging the gap between a traditional political biography and a work of comparative and regional politics, it places Soleimani within multiple frames of resonance, examining how his image and persona have been shaped by himself, by the regime and by outsiders to create a powerful and increasingly essential narrative which, over time, placed Soleimani as a key powerbroker in Iranian and regional politics. Based on a newly developed analytical framework and fieldwork in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon the volume draws extensively on Persian and Arabic sources, as well as detailed exploration of the iconography used to frame Soliemani as a new, more secular Iranian hero who has resonance far beyond Iran's borders. Zusammenfassung Over the past two decades Iran's irregular warfare capabilities have expanded dramatically with a network of highly capable proxy actors emerging and consolidating. This network, developed by the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was expertly directed by its mysterious and charismatic leader Major-General Qasem Soleimani. Inhaltsverzeichnis Introduction: Painting the general1 Situating threat: understanding Iran's defence and foreign policies2 The international man of mystery: who is Qasem Soleimani?3 Branding individuals: nested frames as a theoretical tool4 Brand Soleimani: the Iranian State & legitimacy5 Regionalising Hajj Qasem 6 Nation branding & the new crafted Middle East...
