Iranian Revolutionary Guard

Major General Qassem Suleimani, who heads the Quds Brigade in Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Meet the most powerful man in the Middle East you’ve probably never heard of

Conflict

He confounded American commanders in Iraq and all but saved the regime of Bashar al-Assad. But until recently, few people outside of military circles knew the name of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. He’s a public and popular figure in his home country now — and just as powerful as ever.