Nothing technically “civil” about that in the sense of: different segments of a country fighting for normal goals (power over laws, infrastructure, resources, etc.).

They are fighting over the control of Islam, essentially.

If they were all Sunnis or Shi’ites, and were then battling over oil rights or building contacts, it might qualify as a civil war.

But there is no ultimate earthly reconciliation for these opposed “heresies”.

Nothing can be given up (as slavery was abandoned by the Confederate States) that will calm this conflict.

Only the utter subjugation -or annihilation- of the “other” will end this “holy” schism.

Nothing civil about that.

They’re right… there is no War on Terror…

What’s more, there is no Iraq War. We invaded, we removed the existing regime, we worked with available nationals to form a government that would attempt to serve ALL Iraqis instead of just the ruling elite. What is happening now hasn’t been “war” for years. We, as the occupying force, are aiding the nascent government to maintain some form of stability until their own infrastructure is able to control its own land. Leaving before that is accomplished is deserting and betraying a friend. We cannot do that.

“overreaction from U.S. policymakers. Should they conclude that Iraq is in a civil war—even if they base their determination on political expediency and no clear criteria“

No clear criteria? Like Pelosi, Reid and their ilk are doing everyday in trying to run the war instead of Gen. Petraeus?

One beef I do have with this article…fourth paragraph

“Many Sunni officials outside Iraq might depict a U.S.-Shi‘i alliance as crusading because, they would say, the Iraqi Sunni Arabs had not previously posed a significant terrorist threat to the United States”

I would have to argue that the killing of 3000 Americans on 9-11 would be a previously posed significant terrorist threat!

Its gangs, tribes, and religious leaders with “militias” (armed gangs), who are struggling in a power vacuum.

There are no opposing governments… no opposing armies… just anarchy.

Problem is that you can’t figure out a solution to a problem until you DEFINE it. We’ve allowed the MSM and the Left… and our enemies… to define the terms and thus drive the agenda.

They’re right… there is no War on Terror… its a war against Militant Islam! This is why we still allow our enemies to have mouthpieces and propoganda tools on our own soil (CAIR).

A sergeant with a PhD. Hm.

In the USAF, it’s hard to compete for senior NCO promotions if you don’t possess at least a bachelor’s degree.

To be competitive for promotion to E-8/E-9, you’d better have multiple degrees and/or an MBA.

Anyhoo…I agree with the good Sgt. Patten that sectarian violence doesn’t equal civil war. Much of the violence seems to be motivated by good old-fashioned hatred by animals who don’t have any particular political agenda or ambitions.

I mean, hasn’t the whole idea of an Iraqi civil war been nothing but drama-bait from the MSM?