- Emphasis on freedom and liberty, when in the developing world, more basic rights are at the fore: national liberation, development, dignity, justice.
- Lip service to freedom and democracy in contrast to enduring support for autocrats and dictators, even since the Cold War's end.
- Support of Israel by US seen as many Arabs in the region as a support of the subjugation of Palestinians--not liberty. This point identified as the single biggest reason for Arab skepticism of US promises and rhetoric.
- Simplistic accusations of terrorists fighting freedom, rather than the reasons they themselves give, make US policies seem artificial, masking ulterior motives.
- Pre-emptive warfare seems to be the norm for the US--hints of what may come with Afghanistan and Iran concerning.
"The gap between rhetoric and policy is simply too wide, and has been for many, many years."
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