Civil War Defined

The latest talking point on the Iraqi War from the Administration warns the American people that if we are to withdraw from Iraq, the country will plunge into an all out civil war. This theory is quickly being snapped up by the Fox Newsies and regurgitated by columnists, talk show hosts, and bloggers. Before we discuss the false logic behind such a statement, let’s actually define “civil war”, mmmkay?

A civil war is a war in which parties within the same country or empire struggle for national control of state power. As in any war, the conflict may be over other matters such as religion, ethnicity, or distribution of wealth. Some civil wars are also categorized as revolutions when major societal restructuring is a possible outcome of the conflict. An insurgency, whether successful or not, is likely to be classified as a civil war by some historians if, and only if, organized armies fight conventional battles.

Based on this definition, does anyone outside of the administration not think we’re already in the midst of an Iraqi Civil War? Former Iraqi Prime Minister, Ayad Allawai thinks we’re in the middle of a civil war…so does Republican Senator Chuck Hagel…

As posited last week on these very pages, it’s time for us to draw up a sensible exit strategy and put it into action. The civil war is already happening and it is happening on our watch. If the new logic against leaving is fear of a civil war, how do we justify our presence when the civil war has already begun? It makes absolutely no sense…

Our presence in Iraq fuels all sources of the insurgency and the blossoming civil war. We are still performing the large majority of security duties throughout Iraq and progress on training is modest at best. The much heralded “Operation Swarmer” that was intended to quell insurgent groups and strike against the civil war was conducted using our logistical, medical, and military forces. Sure, we rounded up the press pool for a photo op where the ISF jumped off the choppers but, it was our show and not theirs.

It’s high time for this administration to take a hard look at Posen’s proposed exit strategy and perhaps follow some of Murtha’s recommendations as well. If the President wishes to turn the tide, he must hold accountable those who have continually bungled this operation from the very beginning. It’s time to bring our soldiers home.