Power Struggle, Tribal Conflict Or Religious War?

Four experts shed light on what is really going on in Iraq

NOAH FELDMAN Professor of law at New York University and an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations

In looking at the brewing civil war between the two groups in Iraq, it's easy to assume that the cause is ancient hatred. Nothing could be further from the truth. For the overwhelming majority of Iraqi history, Sunnis and Shi'ites have lived peacefully side by side, and numerous Iraqis are the children of mixed marriages. Instead we are witnessing in Iraq what occurs when government collapses and there is no state around capable of guaranteeing personal security.

What do you do when...

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