The Killing of General Qassim Suleimani

<p>Iran has promised “severe revenge” against the United States for the killing of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani. But what made the high-ranking military leader an American target in the first place? Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/helene-cooper?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">Helene Cooper</a>, who covers the Pentagon for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. </p><p>Background reading:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/03/obituaries/qassem-soleimani-dead.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani</a> was known as the instigator behind proxy wars that fueled instability in the Middle East. His death further disturbed<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/05/world/middleeast/mideast-allies-suleimani.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> the region’s delicate power balances</a> — and<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/05/world/middleeast/iran-general-soleimani-iraq.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> effectively ended a landmark nuclear deal</a>.</li><li>Some Iranian officials called the American strike on General Suleimani an act of war. As <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/05/world/middleeast/iran-general-soleimani-iraq.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">the consequences of the killing ripple outward</a>, our columnist asks:<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/world/middleeast/qassim-suleimani-deter-iran.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> Was the strike a good idea</a>?</li><li>Catching up after a weekend offline?<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/03/world/middleeast/suleimani-dead.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> Here’s what else you need to know</a> about the death of General Suleimani.</li></ul>