If you parse that sentence a bit more carefully, and read the article at a whole it is arguing that other democracies, and the US in particular, have a conflict

If you parse that sentence a bit more carefully, and read the article at a whole it is arguing that other democracies, and the US in particular, have a conflict that could credibly escalate to a civil war. It is an article by an individual academic not "The LSE" - the disclaimer at the top says "All articles posted on this blog give the views of the author(s), and not the position of LSE British Politics and Policy, nor of the London School of Economics and Political Science." It is not even clear whether the author is endorsing his views, or merely reporting those of former diplomat Barbara Woodword who has written a book on civil wars.