Part 8/12:
Reflecting on past conflicts, Petraeus recalls the lessons learned from the Iraq invasion and subsequent occupation. While initial appearances suggested that Iraqi forces might welcome incoming US troops, reality proved far more complex. Several catastrophic decisions led to prolonged instability and chaos, underscoring that military power alone cannot guarantee regime change or stability.
He warns that similar miscalculations in Iran—if efforts focus solely on airstrikes without addressing internal dissent—may prove counterproductive. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard and paramilitary forces, such as the Basij, are formidable and willing to use violence to suppress protests and maintain regime control.