The dynamics of the "war on terror" are such that anything we wish to deem as part of it -wallah- instantly part of it. As long as there are terrorists we can make any skirmish, assassination, or war a part of the "war on terror." It's really more of a catch-phrase than an actual war. Wars have definite attainable endings.

__________________
"It's never over... BOY!"
The Tall Man, Phantasm III