Posted on: Thursday, February 28, 2002

EDITORIAL
Islamic hostility toward U.S. a policy challenge

A stunning Gallup Poll of attitudes toward the United States in the Islamic world suggests grave difficulties ahead in our effort to maintain an international coalition in the war on terrorism.

The poll suggests a vast gulf between the official rhetoric of most governments in the region and attitudes on "the street."

For instance, astounding majorities in Kuwait, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran and Lebanon told the survey they do not believe Arabs were involved in the Sept. 11 attacks. More telling is the depth of Islamic antipathy toward the United States and what it represents.

Asked to describe the United States, respondents used words such as "ruthless, aggressive, conceited, arrogant and biased," according to Gallup officials. A significant minority of those polled even described the Sept. 11 attacks as justifiable, considering America's record in the region.

One wonders how long government leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Indonesia and — most importantly — Pakistan can maintain any level of support for the U.S. effort in the face of such popular dislike for this country.

A good deal of the hostility can be explained as simple ignorance about what the United States is and what it stands for. And at the same time, we should recognize that a domestic poll in the United States of attitudes toward the Islamic world might also show a considerable level of ignorance and hostility. This does cut both ways.

But at some level, the poll reflects the fact the United States has not done a very good job of explaining itself or pursuing a balanced and nuanced foreign policy in the region.

This should be an important wake-up call for the United States. If we expect the Islamic world to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the war against terrorism, as it should, then we must do a better job of explaining "on the street" why they should care.