On July 15, Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House, made a claim many people were bracing for and no one wanted to hear: "This is World War III."

Mr. Gingrich, it's been World War III.

Ever since President Bush declared war on terrorism in 2001, the definition of war as we know it has been completely altered. War no longer needs to be fought between two or more nations and led by public officials. War now can be as simple as a few U.S. citizens allegedly planning the bombing of buildings on U.S. soil.

So if the definition of war is this vague, who's to say we aren't in the middle of another world war?

As the Israel/Lebanon conflict continues into its 16th day, televised news has little else to say in the evening. CNN.com is dominated by the developing story and the hundreds of informational features that come with it.

With so much of the media dominated by this conflict, it's almost easy to forget about North Korea and their nuclear missile tests. Remember that? The West Coast of our nation could be within reach of North Korea's nuclear weapons, but the American people are completely engulfed in other stories.

Meanwhile, France is accusing Iran of causing the Israel/Lebanon conflict, Ethiopia is invading Somalia, al-Qaida is calling for all Muslims to attack Israel (6 million live in South America alone), Australia is ready to join an international force to take out Hezbollah two months after sending troops to East Timor and South Africa is on the verge of civil war over a conflict a continent away.

So now we have North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia all directly involved in a conflict between a place not recognized as a country by many and a country run by a terrorist organization.

If this isn't a world war, then I'm not sure what a world war is.

The problem is this: how do you fight a world war where there are no clear enemies?

Any military action taken against one party will only lead to escalated tensions with even more counties or groups. Any military action in general would increase anger from the American people who are sick and tired of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yet, something has to be done.

In 2001, the nation flew flags from their homes and cars and, sporting bumper stickers of "Let's Roll," supported the troops as they marched into service.

In 1941, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the young men of America ran to recruiting stations as Congress cheered on President Roosevelt's request to declare war on Japan.

I don't want to see the nation fall under another attack in order to rally the nation together again. It's time to forget that it's an election year, remember the nightmares that we've labeled 9/11 and begin to support one another as we try to survive this war.

For those of you who share the sentiments of blogger Larry Beinhart and claim that the mortality rates aren't high enough to call this a world war, get your head together.

This war is as real as any other in history, and it's about time we acted like it.