Is Iraq an insurgency AND a civil war?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:25:02 -0500

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

SGT David T. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:29:30 -0500

Since Iraqis are fighting Iraqis I would say yes.

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

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:35:29 -0500

The two are not mutually exclusive...

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

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:49:08 -0500

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

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:54:06 -0500

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

COL Vincent Stoneking — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:39:11 -0500

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

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:04:06 -0500

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

SGT James Hastings — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 13:24:05 -0500

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.