What does this mean (about the war in Iraq) - see below?

Question

The National Intelligence Assessment today said the war in Iraq is a civil war. Several commentators are saying though that the situation is "more complex" and something like "We would be lucky if it were only a civil war." What do they mean by that?

(Source MSNBC News)

Answer 1

It means it's an iternal problem and the U.S. doesn't need to be there in the midst of it......

Answer 2

They mean that if it was just Iraqis against Iraqis (with the US on the side of the forces of the Iraqi Democracy) then it would be a lot easier. Unfortunately, the rebels inside Iraq, aren't just Iraqi, they are Iranian, Syrian, Saudi Arabian, etc. Terrorists are coming in from all the other Middle Eastern nations and aiding the rebel Iraqis. This makes the situation that much harder. Also, the rebels/terrorists inside Iraq are being aided by Middle Eastern Governments. Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran all financially aid terrist groups, so it is only likely that they aid the ones inside Iraq. We can't do anything about Saudi Arabia because if we do, we lose an important ally in the Middle East, and our main supplier of oil, and if we try anything to annoy the Syrians or Iranians, Iran will go into double time on their uranium enrichment program, increasing the chance of a nuclear war.

Answer 3

You may not find the answer here, as the answer may not exist.

It could mean that a lot of foreign pressure is coming together in Iraq. If allowed to deteriorate a lot more we could see several countries in the area warring with each other. Like Saudi Arabia, Iran Syria Turkey and Jordan to mention a few. As Iraq has a lot of people with historical ties to those countries and they will want to preserve and protect them in Iraq.

Not to mention the natural resources that are at stake in the region.