Immortal: A Military History of Iran and Its Armed Forces

Product Description

Immortal is the only single-volume English-language survey of Iran’s military history. CIA analyst Steven R. Ward shows that Iran’s soldiers, from the famed “Immortals” of ancient Persia to today’s Revolutionary Guard, have demonstrated through the centuries that they should not be underestimated. This history also provides background on the nationalist, tribal, and religious heritages of the country to help readers better understand Iran and its security outlook.

Immortal begins with the founding of ancient Persia’s empire under Cyrus the Great and continues through the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) and up to the present. Drawing on a wide range of sources including declassified documents, the author gives primary focus to the modern era to relate the build-up of the military under the last Shah, its collapse during the Islamic revolution, its fortunes in the Iran-Iraq War, and its rise from the ashes to help Iran become once again a major regional military power. He shows that, despite command and supply problems, Iranian soldiers demonstrate high levels of bravery and perseverance and have enjoyed surprising tactical successes even when victory has been elusive. These qualities and the Iranians’ ability to impose high costs on their enemies by exploiting Iran’s imposing geography bear careful consideration today by potential opponents.

Review

Immortal is a superbly written and researched work. Steven Ward has delivered a critically important contribution to understanding the Persian military. This is a must read for those who want to understand Iranian military thinking, heritage, and capability.–General Anthony C. Zinni, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), and former commander, U.S. Central Command

Before we rush headlong into another Middle Eastern quagmire, it is critical for Americans to develop a greater appreciation for Iran’s military history and capability. Steven Ward’s Immortal comes at a critical moment, when its subject–the military development of Iran–is one of the most important issues confronting our nation. There are few Westerners who possess Ward’s experience and understanding of the Iranian armed forces, and he has done us all a great service by placing his wealth of knowledge at our disposal. Immortal is a thoughtful, fascinating and extremely informative study of Iran’s military from the past to the very present that will finally allow us to fill a large gap in our understanding of one of the most pressing foreign policy problems of the twenty-first century.–Kenneth M. Pollack, author of The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America

Far too often, Americans ignore history and leave military history to a narrow range of experts. The choice of peace or war in dealing with Iran, however, is far too important to make without an understanding of Iran’s military history and how its forces have evolved. Steven R. Ward’s Immortal provides essential background to making that choice.–Anthony H. Cordesman, Burke Chair in Strategy, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Beginning with ancient Persia’s feared corps, known as the “Immortals,” and continuing through today’s Revolutionary Guard, Ward offers a panoramic view of Iranian military history–and explains how Iran could still use its geography against its enemies.–Foreign Policy

It would behoove today’s military planners to absorb these important lessons from the past as they prepare for current contingencies.–Middle East Quarterly

It would serve well anyone closely following the developments in the present diplomatic row between Iran and the West to read Immortal. It is an excellent overview of Iran’s military history–a comprehensive examination of their military forces from which both specialists and generalists can benefit . . . [The] wealth of information he was able to provide is an excellent resource for those seeking to understand the country’s military in a historical cont