The What? principle

There are obviously a lot of Islamists that are determined to cause America (its people, its society, its domain) as much harm as possible. I hear arguments ad nauseum as to the causes, the solutions, the boundaries, the ramifications. But I rarely see these discussions begun from the proper premise. In my opinion, the first question in any discussion about Islamic terrorists should be "Is it war?" Because the answer to that question will dramatically color what are "reasonable solutions." Solutions a society deems acceptable in peacetime will differ a great deal from what that society deems acceptable against the backdrop of war and its own survival, right?

Any serious discussion must begin with an application of the "What" principle, which borrows its essence from Marcus Aurelios, who said "In each thing, examine its essence - what is its nature, in and of itself?"

And so, in regards to the increasingly global conflict between Islamic believers and Western society ... Is it war?