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The whole reason the US annouced the Qud's were to be listed as a terrorist organisation was so that they could kill Suleimani at some point without having to go to congress for approval

^ Small tweak to make it more accurate....

I agree. But I also think there will be a few people out there who will think twice about certain activities given the US has now put them on notice that they will strike leadership not just foot soldiers and mid-level.

That said, it’s what Iran does next that is the big worry.

That said, it’s what Iran does next that is the big worry.

My prediction/guess/fear is they will launch further attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

who know's what form they will take

The Iranian secret service is highly efficient. Following the fatwah against Salman Rushdie, two translators were killed and a few more violent acts were carried out in various countries. This was done without leaving a single trace IIRC.

What worries me is how the conversation is mostly about how Iran will respond and all the bad or good things that Suleimani has done.
This is victim blaming on a level of international politics.
More questions should be asked about the agressor and their intentions, which is Trump and his administration.

Not that the US will care but the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Executions seems to think it unlawful

https://twitter.com/AgnesCallamard

Yep. Where they killed him (and who they killed with him - i.e. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis) is also a massive problem.

Fires so hot they melt your sick rims... Tomorrow could be the most dangerous day yet, let's hope people heed the warnings and get the fuck out of Dodge...

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Are we at Armageddon yet?

Everything seems to be pointing that way, Andy... I'm going for a nice picnic by the water tomorrow, enjoy it while you still can...

Nice one. Stay safe Joe!

This new yorker profile of Suleimani in 2013 shows how important he was to Iran and how powerful he was in the region, even then:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/30/the-shadow-commander

Looks interesting, I'll give that a read later.

Expect this documentary to be rerun soon. Very thorough.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0003871

al-Muhandis

The Engineer.
An odd soubriquet, unless Engineers are held in higher regard in Islam and or Iran?

I think you're translating too literally. It means more organiser/influencer/manipulator I think. Well, not what I think, the Arabic speaking lady sitting next to me.

I know no Arabic,
my translation is from the Turkish 'muhendis'.
Don't those actions have better Arabic names?

It depends what you mean by better. Its fairly common in English to say somebody is a social engineer, engineers situations or engineers an outcome.

Fucked if I know how it relates to the Arabic.

Although I just read that his first degree was in engineering so perhaps we have the answer to our question.

@Stonehedge is right. Its not A rigid translation. It’s more along the lines of ‘the architect’ of which he very much was all over the Mid East. Didn’t matter where you went, even towards the Maghreb, he was known.

His span of influence stretched very far indeed.

Again, from the Turkish, architect is 'mimar'.
Looks like @Stonehedge has an answer.

I think my Arabic speaking wife and Chak have the answer tbh. Whilst he is an engineer, it's also not a literal nickname.

How many wives do you have?

Stay safe, Ed and Joe. Hell on Earth. :(

Jeeps just been down a rabbit hole reading Islamic eschatology. Nice knowing you guys