It’s “low intensity.” Low intensity conflict (LIC) is the doctrine of war below the threshold of conventional war (tanks, troops, planes) but above routine, peaceful competition.
We’re in a “hot peace.” I certainly would not characterize America in 2016-2019 as being at “peace,” other than the absolute absence of outright war. The cultural cold war has turned hot; albeit at a very low level. If you ignore this, then you ignore reality.
It’s very likely to worsen. ... As political violence becomes more acceptable among the extremes, you’ll see more of it.
We could have just two to three years before we see routine, sustained political violence. For as long as I’ve been writing about LIC, I’ve warned of the effects of the next recession and financial crisis on the political and cultural climate.
I’ve tended to dismiss as wackos the folks online who talk about a second Civil War but only because of thinking of it in terms of the Civil War. If folks have been talking in terms of Low Intensity Conflict, they should make that explicit.
