U.S. Intelligence Sees Iraq With 'Elements' Of Civil War

However, the "National Intelligence Estimate" from all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies says that the term "civil war" does not "adequately capture the complexity of the conflict in Iraq."

Nonetheless, it says "the term 'civil war' accurately describes key  elements of the Iraqi conflict, including the hardening of ethno-sectarian identities, a sea change in the character of the violence, ethno-sectarian mobilization, and population displacements."

The assessment came in an unclassified summary of the document -- entitled "Prospects for Iraq's Stability: A Challenging Road Ahead" -- released today by the Office of the National Intelligence Director.

The document warns that the security situation in Iraq will deteriorate without measurable progress in efforts to halt the violence.

'Tough But Fair'

"It's a tough look at Iraq," Hadley said. "It makes clear the challenges we face. It does suggest that we can succeed with the right policies -- and we think we've developed the right policy, the right strategy, the right approach -- and makes it clear once again, as the president has been saying, that the  consequences of failure are grave indeed."

Bush was briefed on the conclusions of the report on February 1.

Its release came amid continuing violence in Iraq.

The U.S. military today said its troops had killed at least 18 insurgents in the past two days in Al-Ramadi, west of Baghdad.

The military also confirmed that a helicopter went down today near a U.S. air base in Al-Taji, north of Baghdad, the fourth such loss in Iraq in two weeks.

Meanwhile, the city of Al-Najaf remained under curfew in the wake of severe clashes on January 28 between members of a Shi'ite sect and Iraqi and U.S. forces.

(compiled from agency reports)

(compiled from agency reports)