Petraeus: Iran, Shiite Militias Bigger Threat To Iraq Than ISIS - NPR

Gen. David Petraeus, who commanded the U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, says the "foremost threat to Iraq's long-term stability" is not the self-described Islamic State but Shiite militias backed, and sometimes guided, by Iran.

Petraeus' comments, which were made to The Washington Post in an interview published Friday, came at a conference in Sulaimaniya, in Iraqi Kurdistan. Petraeus oversaw the "surge" of troops into Iraq in 2007 and 2008, which succeeded in quelling the bloody Sunni rebellion after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Petraeus' comments may also be significant as the Obama administration works to conclude an agreement with Iran on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The talks themselves have been opposed by some U.S. allies, including Israel, as well as lawmakers from both parties in Congress.  Read More

Petraeus: Iran, Shiite Militias Bigger Threat To Iraq Than ISIS

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