The Iranian solution

I noted back in the fall that Iran seemed to be playing nicer in Iraq. Now, a spokesman for U.S. Gen. David Petraeus tells the Washington Times that the progress has continued: We are ready to confirm the excellence of the senior Iranian leadership in their pledge to stop the funding, training, equipment and resourcing ...

I noted back in the fall that Iran seemed to be playing nicer in Iraq. Now, a spokesman for U.S. Gen. David Petraeus tells the Washington Times that the progress has continued:

I noted back in the fall that Iran seemed to be playing nicer in Iraq. Now, a spokesman for U.S. Gen. David Petraeus tells the Washington Times that the progress has continued:

We are ready to confirm the excellence of the senior Iranian leadership in their pledge to stop the funding, training, equipment and resourcing of the militia special groups," Col. Boylan said. "We have seen a downward trend in the signature-type attacks using weapons provided by Iran."

Interestingly, Boylan makes a point of tying "the senior Iranian leadership" to this change in policy. U.S. military leaders are pragmatic people. They no doubt realize at this point that winding down the surge successfully will require Iranian cooperation. If the United States could partner successfully with former Sunni insurgents, why not the Iranians? (It's doing both at once that will be the real feat.)

UPDATE: The story appears to be wrong. Boylan tells Wired's Noah Shachtman that the Washington Times "made a leap of faith logic that was not discussed between the reporter and me." He sent the following to the paper's editor:

The January 3 article "Iran no longer aids Iraq militants" is inaccurate.  We do not know if there has been a decrease in the supply of Iranian weapons.  It is not clear if Iran's leaders stopped supplying weapons or training to extremist elements in Iraq.  We hope that they have, but until we can confirm it, we are in the wait and see mode.  We have seen a decrease in the attacks using four specific types of Iranian weapons.  However, this should not be misunderstood as anything other than lowered levels of attacks using these specific weapons.

Thanks to Passport reader MCJ for bringing this to my attention.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.