# General Petraeus: It's "indisputable" Iran is training & arming Iraq militants **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 13, 2007, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787 "2007-03-13T20:15:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/1 "2007-03-13T20:15:00Z")
He also says “suicide bombers are streaming across Iraq’s border from Syria and making their way into the country’s volatile western Anbar province.” Story [here.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/13/AR2007031300022.html) (As noted, this follows a meeting between U.S. and Iranian envoys at the international conference in Baghdad last weekend, which meeting seemed to accomplish nothing but an exchange of blame.) 1. Are these allegations true? 2. If so, what can/should be done about it? ---
**Author:** ![bonitahi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@bonitahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonitahi)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/2 "2007-03-13T21:53:37Z")
Is it the wolf crying again? Ya never know with bushco. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/3 "2007-03-13T21:55:05Z")
The correct response being… “Yes, and?” Any government on the planet would do the same, and anyone who denies it is fooling themselves. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/4 "2007-03-13T23:00:04Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek] The correct response being… “Yes, and?” Any government on the planet would do the same, and anyone who denies it is fooling themselves. -Joe [/QUOTE] Meaning, we should not judge the Iranians too harshly on this point? Arguable but irrelevant. The question is, what can or should we do to stop them? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/5 "2007-03-13T23:11:49Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] He also says “suicide bombers are streaming across Iraq’s border from Syria and making their way into the country’s volatile western Anbar province.” Story [here.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/13/AR2007031300022.html) (As noted, this follows a meeting between U.S. and Iranian envoys at the international conference in Baghdad last weekend, which meeting seemed to accomplish nothing but an exchange of blame.) 1. Are these allegations true? [/quote] Who knows? I just wish Petraeus would concentrate on military operations in Iraq and stay out of the propaganda campaign. > [@](#): > > 1. If so, what can/should be done about it? Start off by engaging Iran in trying to stabilize Iraq. We have erected a Shi’ite dominated government in Iraq. We should expect Iran to take in interest in promoting their interests in a neighboring Shi’ite nation. Our task is to get the Iraq military and police forces up to the task of establishing order and getting the Iraqi Shi’ite dominated government to provide equal treatment for all factions. The first task hasn’t been successfully accomplished in 4 years and I don’t see how the second is possible at all. ---
**Author:** ![Montgomery0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Montgomery0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montgomery0)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/6 "2007-03-13T23:16:03Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] 2. If so, what can/should be done about it? [/QUOTE] Obviously we need to invade Iran and take their oil. That’ll teach them. Of course that’s not the answer, but who here doubts that will be the result? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/7 "2007-03-13T23:18:06Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Are these allegations true? Don’t know. Don’t care. > [@](#): > > 1. If so, what can/should be done about it? Get out of Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/8 "2007-03-13T23:21:30Z")
But is it a Slam Dunk? That’s Intel Gold! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/9 "2007-03-13T23:27:11Z")
[QUOTE=David Simmons] Start off by engaging Iran in trying to stabilize Iraq. [/QUOTE] Yes, well, the Iraq Study Group already recommended that, but the Admin . . . ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/10 "2007-03-13T23:32:32Z")
1. Are these allegations true? Uranium cakes in Nigeria, WOMD, Connections to Al-Qaeda, etc… These fuckers don’t know shit. 2. If so, what can/should be done about it? Get out of Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/11 "2007-03-13T23:40:57Z")
BTW, am I the only one who thinks “General Petraeus” sounds like an Evil Overlord’s handle? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/12 "2007-03-13T23:53:54Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] BTW, am I the only one who thinks “General Petraeus” sounds like an Evil Overlord’s handle? [/QUOTE] Or someone born a few centures too late… ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/13 "2007-03-14T00:01:35Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] BTW, am I the only one who thinks “General Petraeus” sounds like an Evil Overlord’s handle? [/QUOTE] In the last chapter, it’ll turn out that an unfortunate typographical error has kept us from realizing the General’s _true_ mission. **OMFG** , his name actually starts with a ‘ **B** ’! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/14 "2007-03-14T00:53:27Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Yes, well, the Iraq Study Group already recommended that, but the Admin . . . [/QUOTE] and, choke, gasp, we’ve got almost two more years of this shit. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/15 "2007-03-14T14:30:29Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] BTW, am I the only one who thinks “General Petraeus” sounds like an Evil Overlord’s handle? [/QUOTE] It does… until you find out his nickname is “Peaches.” Then it’s REALLY terrifying. I try to ignore _who_ is making these claims about Iran and focus on the truth of the claims, but I can’t do it. What could we do about it anyway? Start a war with Iran when we can’t take care of things in Iraq? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/16 "2007-03-14T14:40:37Z")
I suspect that the charges ARE true. Iran has been aiding, harboring and supporting some of these groups for decades now. Why would Iran suddenly stop now when these groups need them more and they need these groups more? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/17 "2007-03-14T15:40:40Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] **OMFG** , his name actually starts with a ‘ **B** ’! :eek: [/QUOTE] Beneral Petraeus? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/18 "2007-03-14T17:08:44Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] What could we do about it anyway? Start a war with Iran when we can’t take care of things in Iraq? [/QUOTE] Ermm, well, yeah, that seems to be the general idea. ---
**Author:** ![WorkInProgress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@WorkInProgress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WorkInProgress)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/19 "2007-03-14T17:39:04Z")
It is probably true. I think we should strengthen the Iraq/Iran border and engage the \ to do the dirty work. I would force the \'s hand by threatening to give the task to Israel. Then I would secure the USA by strengthening the USA/Mexico and USA/Canada borders. Get out of Iraq is good policy after that. No more welfare for the Iraqis. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787/20 "2007-03-14T17:57:52Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Ermm, well, yeah, that seems to be the general idea. [/QUOTE] Yes, but you asked what’s going to be done. Some people want to attack Iran, I’m sure, but since I don’t think that _can_ be done, I expect very little will be done now. [QUOTE=WorkInProgress] I think we should strengthen the Iraq/Iran border and engage the \ to do the dirty work. I would force the \'s hand by threatening to give the task to Israel. [/QUOTE] That doesn’t make sense. Why would Israel provoke its neighbors by sending its soldiers to Iraq? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787.md?page=2)