America may be terrified of admitting it, but the Shia-Sunni violence has reached a new pitchMark
CIVIL WAR occurs when the last vestige of civility collapses. It is the merciless, intimate, internecine “war of every man against every man” imagined by Thomas Hobbes: “No arts, no letters, no society, and which is worst of all, continual fear of danger and violent death.” Civil war is the war of brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour, tribe against tribe. It often begins in ideology or ethnicity, but it is sustained by vengeance, feud building on feud, in a cycle of murder that can last for generations.
We think of civil war as the ultimate barbarity, yet it is the rule more than the exception in recent history. Over the past half century, about 3.3 million people have died in battle as a result of wars between countries, each lasting on average for three months; during the same period, about 16 million people perished in 127 civil wars, with an average duration of six years. Civil war is far more widespread, bloody and sustained than war itself.
In Britain and America, civil war comes freighted with historical resonance, the very antithesis of a society that is stable and free. Britain’s parliamentary democracy was profoundly shaped by a gruesome civil war; America’s ideal of nationhood was founded on the resolution of a civil war that nearly shattered the country.
For months, we have heard that Iraq is on the brink, the cusp, the verge of civil war. But the ugly truth is that by every practical definition — historical, numerical and political — Iraq is already in the grip of a civil war.
Read the whole article in The Times: The brutal truth: it's civil war
Friday, March 10, 2006
Civil War in Iraq?
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16 comments:
Scary stuff Mark. I guess the question is what happens next in Iraq.
BTW, if you haven't read "Death by Government" by RJ Rummel you must. It's a real eye opener to the troubles of the twentieth century and of governments turning on their own people. Oh what a world we live in!
Enjoyed your recent post on Ali Sina's faithfreedom.
Leelion:
Yes, it's scary stuff all right!
No, I haven't read the particular book you refer to; but I am going to put it on my wish list now that you have recommended it so highly.
Glad you enjoyed the post.
It often begins in ideology or ethnicity, but it is sustained by vengeance, feud building on feud, in a cycle of murder that can last for generations....the ugly truth is that by every practical definition — historical, numerical and political — Iraq is already in the grip of a civil war....
I read in yesterday's WaPo that the body count in the conflict following the mosque explosion was greatly understated. Sounds like a must-read.
I'll check the public library for the Rummel book, which Leelion recommended.
Papa Ray: The fact that Iraq has killings every day, does not reflect a civil war.
I find it hard to distinguish between Muslim tribal-wars and "true" civil war. Almost a way of life for the sons of Allah, IMO.
I agree with Papa Ray on this one. I think this article paints a very grim, worse case scenario--one that I've seen disputed in several places. Here's one link that gives another view:
The American Thinker
There were some photos from a rally in London a few weeks ago depicting Sunni and Shia muslims with placards that read "No Civil War in Iraq" or something to that effect.
I sent them to a military friend serving in Iraq to encourage him. The troops see so much distortion from the MSM and rarely see the real side of the news being reported.
BTW Mark--Kudos for your outstanding article on the FaithFreedom web site. You seem to constantly outdo yourself.
Papa Ray:
If isn't one already, then it certainly is a grim prospect for them. I stated a few weeks ago that Pandora's Box had been opened. I read recently that this has since been stated by none other than the American Ambassador to Iraq if I am not mistaken.
Whether one has started or not is a moot point. The fact of the matter is that it isn't far away if the situation keeps on deteriorating as it has.
This isn't a question of a right versus left opinion; rather, it is a reflection on the reality there.
Always:
I find it hard to distinguish between Muslim tribal-wars and "true" civil war.
It's VERY difficult to distinguish between them.
Heather:
BTW, thanks for that link. I shall get down to reading it early next week. I'm away for a short break right now, trying to have some fun. :-)
Anton:
This may be an opportunity to capitalize on the longstanding schism in Islam, setting Sunni against Scia, setting our two major enemies Saudi Arabia and Iran in conflict against each other and drawing in other islamic lands on either side of the sectarian divide. This could, in the long run, be a good thing for us infedels!
One possibly very good strategy!
Glad to see you on faithfreedom.org
I'm happy to be on there. Thanks for suggesting it to me.
Heather:
BTW Mark--Kudos for your outstanding article on the FaithFreedom web site. You seem to constantly outdo yourself.
Thank you so much. Your encouragement is so sustaining.
Anton:
Thank for that link.
Mark,
BTW, thanks for that link. I shall get down to reading it early next week. I'm away for a short break right now, trying to have some fun. :-)
Don't just try to have some fun--HAVE SOME FUN!! (sorry for being too directive)
Seriously, have a great weekend!
**we've had guests this week and will into next so my posts have been curtailed, but I check your blog almost daily--oftentimes more.
Heather:
That's VERY kind of you!
With all this going on with Islam, it's sometimes difficult to switch off from it. I'm giving it my best shot this weekend in Canada! :-)
Seriously, have a great weekend!
Will do. THANK YOU again and again and again! :-)
**we've had guests this week and will into next so my posts have been curtailed, but I check your blog almost daily--oftentimes more.
Don't worry. I realize that people have other things to do to. It's great that you check in most days, and even oftener. But I must admit: I miss your comments! :-)
I hope and trust you will have fun weekend with your guests, too. Lots of it!
The civil war in Iraq has never stopped since this artificial political hybrid came to existance.
It was kept under cover by Bathists, who were the winning, controlling side.
It's just that the media started call it "civil war" now - probably for no other reason than to blame the US for it.
Missinglink:
It's just that the media started call it "civil war" now - probably for no other reason than to blame the US for it.
It's true that the Baathists kept the ethnic groups under control there, often using rather brutal means to do so. But the result was that the people were controlled.
We can all see what has been happening in Iraq since the fall of Saddam's régime: It has gone to pot! Old ethnic animosities have been lain bare. The result: Heightened tensions.
But there is truth in what you say: The liberal media are looking for any opportunity to bash Bush. And that's regrettable.
Mark,
I suppose the main point I wanted to make was that "creations" like Iraq or Yougoslavia have no chance of survival as states without repressive dictatorship or perhaps full autonomy of each ethnic/cultural group.
Turkey is just about tu burst as well.
Missinglink:
The Turkish question, i.e. Turkey acceding to the EU, disturbs me a greatly. If this happens, it will be the most ridiculous, and dangerous, step into darkness that Europe could ever make.
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