Analysts: US Foreign Policy Creates Animosity Toward Americans in Muslim World

Arab observers, speaking immediately after Monday’s attacks in Baghdad, say that although many in the Arab world would condemn attacks on civilians, most Arabs would also have some sympathy for those fighting to end what they see as the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The observers also say that public animosity in Arab and Muslim countries toward U.S. foreign policy is so great now, that it is difficult to publicly show any sympathy at all for the U.S. effort in Iraq. The Director of Cairo University’s Political Science Department, Hassan Nafae, said the increase in civilian deaths in attacks by anti-U.S. forces in Iraq has not changed widespread Arab opposition to the U.S. presence there. “This is an occupation, and it will continue to be perceived as an occupation, and the solution is to either transfer the whole file to the United Nations to direct it, or to withdraw completely from Iraq,” said Mr. Nafae. Full Story