My first instinct would be to say that the bombing of the Samarra Golden Dome Mosque is more like the firing on Fort Sumter. The symbolic attack that launches the two sides into a bitter civil war that would consume their nation. Yet there are some postive signs that this is not the case, as Rick noted. Sistani’s continued call for peaceful demonstrations rather than violent reactions is one example. Furthermore, the actual success of the curfew in the four most divisive provinces is good news. If this were a true civil war, the two sides would not be able to be quelled by a curfew. Thus it would seem it is more like Bleeding Kansas with the violent reprisals on both sides, but on a small scale. The scarcy thing though is that both Sumter and Bleeding Kansas led to our Civil War. Is civil war still avoidable? I don’t know, but I hope so, because if it’s not our concerns over 4 or 5 dead soldiers a week will be a thing of the past.

One of these postulates, from the beginning, was that the Iraqi people, whatever their tribal differences, would suspend internal divisions in order to get on with life in a political structure that guaranteed them religious freedom.

The accompanying postulate was that the invading American army would succeed in training Iraqi soldiers and policymkers to cope with insurgents bent on violence.

He will certainly face the current development as military leaders are expected to do: They are called upon to acknowledge a tactical setback, but to insist on the survival of strategic policies.

Yes, but within their own counsels, different plans have to be made. And the kernel here is the acknowledgment of defeat.

http://www.nationalreview.com/buckley/buckley.asp

The choice is simple. Work at creating a workable government for all Iraqis or fold up the tent and accept a Palestinian style existence.

…

More Muslims have gone over the edge in Iraq. This Golden Dome Mosque place has been blown to smithereens by some terrorist(s). Various other Sunni mosques are being bombed and the like all throughout Baghdad and Iraq. Basically, there’s a minor Sunn…

I am not convinced this is a ‘civil war’.

Someone should nominate Sistani for Nobel Prize, by the way.

Waidmann