Analysis Summary:

The article's factual accuracy is mixed due to the lack of provided verification sources. The central claim that Petraeus stated the U.S. had "lost the element of deterrence" before the Soleimani strike is plausible given the context of escalating tensions at the time, but cannot be definitively verified without external sources. The article exhibits moderate bias by presenting Petraeus's viewpoint without directly including counter-arguments or alternative perspectives on the situation.

Detailed Analysis:

• Claim 1:** Retired General David Petraeus says multiple Iranian attacks had gone largely unanswered in the months before the U.S. strike that took out Qassem Soleimani.
• Verification Source #N: *Not Applicable - No external sources provided.*
• Analysis: This claim aligns with the general understanding of events leading up to the Soleimani strike. There were indeed multiple attacks attributed to Iran or Iranian-backed groups against U.S. interests in the region. However, the degree to which these attacks went "largely unanswered" is subjective and open to interpretation. Without specific examples of attacks and U.S. responses (or lack thereof) and external verification, the accuracy is difficult to assess definitively. Internal knowledge suggests this is partially accurate, but potentially oversimplified.
• Claim 2:** Petraeus says U.S. had "lost the element of deterrence" before Soleimani strike.
• Verification Source #N: *Not Applicable - No external sources provided.*
• Analysis: This is the core claim attributed to Petraeus. Whether the U.S. had "lost the element of deterrence" is a matter of strategic assessment. It's plausible that Petraeus held this view, given his background and experience. However, without a direct quote or further context from the CBS Politics video or other sources, it's impossible to verify the accuracy of this specific statement or the nuances of his argument.

Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:

• Verification Source #N: *Not Applicable - No external sources provided.*
• Due to the absence of verification sources, I am relying on general knowledge of the geopolitical context surrounding the Soleimani strike. The period leading up to the strike was characterized by increasing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, including attacks on oil tankers, a drone shootdown, and attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq attributed to Iranian-backed militias. This context lends some plausibility to the claim that the U.S. may have been perceived as lacking deterrence. However, without specific evidence from the CBS Politics video or other reliable sources, it's impossible to confirm the accuracy of the claims or assess the full scope of Petraeus's argument. The lack of counter-arguments or alternative perspectives contributes to the bias.