What? We have been talking about Iranian involvement here for at least three years. They knew it, they just didn't want to admit it. Ledeen has been on this for five years.
"None of us earlier this year appreciated the extent of Iranian involvement in Iraq, something about which we and Iraq's leaders all now have greater concern," said Petraeus.
General Petraeus reports to Congress
By Bill Roggio
September 10, 2007 2:28 PM
General David Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Forces Iraq, has released the much anticipated report to Congress. The full text of the report is below, but the main point differ little from the July interim assessment or the most recent National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq. General Petraeus stated the the military aspect of the surge has succeeded in reducing violence and has "generated momentum," the Iraqi Security Forces are growing while taking on a greater role in securing the country, and political progress at the local level will allow US forces to draw down the surge brigades. He predicted the force levels can be drawn down from 20 to 15 combat brigades starting in December and ending by July 2008, given that progress in the security situation continues. Ultimately, Petraeus advised against drawing down forces to conduct a strictly counterinsurgency and support role.
General Petraeus also focused a significant amount of time to Iran's involvment with the Special Groups and the rogue Mahdi Army. The threat of Iran's involvement was not fully understood until just this year. "None of us earlier this year appreciated the extent of Iranian involvement in Iraq, something about which we and Iraq's leaders all now have greater concern," said Petraeus.
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