If the Iraqis WANT a civil war, they will get it.
The basic problem in the Middle East is INTOLERANCE of those who differ from others. It has always been so. Democracy can not exist without tolerance, which is the foundation of compromise. As long as X believes that his group alone is good, and all others are evil, there is no opportunity for compromise. The Sunnis have been trying to take over the country and restore their position to one of domination. They are outnumbered 4 to 1. If they don't join up with the government and put down their arms, they are going to be exterminated by the Shi'ites and Kurds backed by USA's massive firepower. Their motto seems to be, "All, or Nothing At All" and they are rapidly moving toward nothing at all, except death, that is.