The Intelligence Community judges that the term “civil war” does not adequately capture the complexity of the conflict in Iraq, which includes extensive Shia-on-Shia violence, al-Qa’ida and Sunni insurgent attacks on Coalition forces, and widespread criminally motivated violence. Nonetheless, the term “civil war” accurately describes key elements of the Iraqi conflict, including the hardening of ethno-sectarian identities, a sea change in the character of the violence, ethno-sectarian mobilization, and population displacements.
In a discussion of whether Iraq has reached a state of civil war, the 90-page classified NIE comes to no conclusion and holds out prospects of improvement. But it couches glimmers of optimism in deep uncertainty about whether the Iraqi leaders will be able to transcend sectarian interests and fight against extremists, establish effective national institutions and end rampant corruption.
Ahem, it reaches no conclusions as to whether it is a civil war while indicating its far more complicated than a civil war.
The thing is a Civil War between two or three factions is reasonably addressed politically. However, a multifaceted break down in all of the civil institutions means its a Hobbesian state of nature.
Or more simply, a giant clusterfuck.
It’s a civil war. Just because Shrub is in denial the press runs for cover and won’t use it.
It is a Civil War and worse