Is Iraq an insurgency AND a civil war?

2015-12-02T15:25:02-05:00

I really don't have any great insights if I do at all. I thought it was an interesting concept.

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 2 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-12-02T15:29:30-05:00

Since Iraqis are fighting Iraqis I would say yes.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 2 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-12-02T15:35:29-05:00

The two are not mutually exclusive...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 4:49 PM

2015-12-02T16:49:08-05:00

You've got the age old conflict between sects...tribal rivalries going back even further...the influence of post-modern radicals...and a whole bunch of corrupt power brokers filling ranks on every side. Yes, I think it's definitely both.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 2 at 2015 4:54 PM

2015-12-02T16:54:06-05:00

General Robert E. Lee lost a war of attrition, but he did not treat ill his base of support. ISIS does not care how they rule. They will use violence against their base of support.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Dec 2 at 2015 5:39 PM

2015-12-02T17:39:11-05:00

In order for there to be an insurgency, there has to be a force attempting to overthrow the duly constituted and recognized government. I think it is fair to question whether the Iraqi people see "their" government as such.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 2 at 2015 6:04 PM

2015-12-02T18:04:06-05:00

It would seem, to me, that the area is battling terrorism, an insurgency and a civil war... But that's how i see it.

Response by SGT James Hastings made Dec 3 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-12-03T13:24:05-05:00

Hazarding a guess: When a nation, any nation, consists of two groups of followers of Islam that historically have been trying to eliminate each other or render the opposition unable to defend themselves you can apply that to Iraq as well as some other nations. It appears that there is no solution until one sect no longer exists. That is unlikely to happen in our lifetime. It has been going on since 632 AD.