U.S. Considers Redefining 'War'

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld already has moved away from the "war on terror" description, saying the conflict is a "global struggle against violent extremism." Bush has not wavered, however, since the term took hold after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "We are engaged in a war on terrorism. It's a long-term ideological struggle that we're engaged in," said his spokesman, Scott McClellan. Asked about the language that Rumsfeld and Myers were using, McClellan said, "I think that they're just talking in greater detail about what we're engaged in." An analyst who has studied the Iraq war's effect on U.S. politics said the administration "purposely commingled the war on terror and the war in Iraq." "We're going to have an interesting time watching how the Bush people get themselves out of this rhetoric cul-de-sac," said Stephen J. Cimbala, a Penn State University political science professor. Bush also likes to say the U.S. is fighting terrorists abroad "so we do not have to face them at home." http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_war_080105,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl

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