Analyst's note:  What is the meaning of "is?"  Even at the time of drafting the U.S. Constitution, the principle of kinetic force was operating in the universe.  Please note that our Founding Fathers used the term "war."  Please .... enough of this political correctness!

"In the last few days, Obama administration officials have frequently faced the question: Is the fighting in Libya a war?  From military officers to White House spokesmen up to the president himself, the answer is no.  But that leaves the question: What is it?

In a briefing on board Air Force One Wednesday, deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes took a crack at an answer.  "I think what we are doing is enforcing a resolution that has a very clear set of goals, which is protecting the Libyan people, averting a humanitarian crisis, and setting up a no-fly zone," Rhodes said.  "Obviously that involves kinetic military action, particularly on the front end."