Page 116 - Mass Media, Mass Propoganda Examining American News in the War on Terror

106 Chapter 5

Islamist forces that do not promote Iraqi secular national independence have
been very clear about their efforts to foster civil war in Iraq and return Iraq to a
more Islamist-oriented government. Such goals hardly represent a failure to
enunciate an ideology.

Resistance as Anti-American

Blanket statements equating resistance to occupation with "anti-Americanism"
are common enough in mainstream reporting. MShBC News reports that "anti-
CBS News high-
American voices" are "growing louder" in many parts of ~ra~.~'
lights strong "anti-American sentiments" throughout the country.32 As the most
prominent American newspaper, the New York Times repeats the mantra pertain-
ing to "overwhelming anti-Americanism" that is building up throughout ~ra~.~~
Local media has followed a similar track, as the Associated Press distributes
stories throughout the U.S. equating an "increase in calls for the U.S. to leave"
Iraq with "anti-American protest[s]."34
Mainstream news outlets systematically refuse to ask one simple question:
if most Iraqis are in opposition to the occupation, and many are increasingly
taking up arms in the name of Iraqi independence, does that really make them
anti-American or anti-occupation? While there are surely a great number of
forces in Iraq that are "anti-American," is this an accurate label for all those who
resist American occupation? As many of those who have contemplated this
question understand, there is a critical difference in the way the issue is framed.
If one is to believe American media outfits when they argue that those against
the occupation are "anti-American," it may have the effect of garnering further
support in the United States for the war, as many Americans may view those
who are against the occupation as being against Americans' entire way of life. If
Americans understand that many throughout Iraq may oppose the occupation,
while also admiring American freedoms, then they might be more inclined sup-
port a withdrawal of American troops, or at least become more susceptible to
criticisms of the war.
The anti-American label validates the occupation by creating the impression
that Iraqis who attack the US., or oppose occupation, are against the United
States as a whole, rather than against U.S. government policies. A blanket focus
on "anti-Americanism" has the effect of obscuring legitimate factors that fuel
the resentment of US. foreign policy. A more appropriate question than "why
do they hate us?'may be, why do so many throughout the world hate American
foreign policy? This approach reframes the problem in Iraq to be one of anti-
occupation sentiment rather than one foundationally based on "anti-
Americanism." Rethinking the question is also important in order to distinguish
between terrorist forces in Iraq, such as the al-Zarqawi network and other Is-
lamic networks, which are in fact driven by fanatical anti-Americanism, and
anti-occupation movements (particularly non-violent Iraqi resistance) which is
opposed to the US. long-term military presence in Iraq.