The Muslim World Hates the U.S. More Than Ever

A ‘Friendlier’ U.S., To No Avail        

Despite Obama’s Mideast outreach, the Muslim world still hates America.

 

 

If there was one thing the Left was certain about in 2008 it was this: George W. Bush had catastrophically undermined America’s world reputation with his unprovoked aggression and use of torture. The advent of Obama would reverse the damage. As Andrew Sullivan wrote in 2007, among the best assets Obama brought to the “rebranding” of America was “his face.” The election of Obama, and his friendly approach to the Muslim world, would make the United States safer as well as more just.

No one believed this tale more fervently than Obama himself. His first official act was to direct the closing of Guantanamo Bay within one year and the elimination of harsh interrogation techniques. The “message we are sending around the world,” he intoned, “is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle . . . in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals.” In Cairo a few months later, he declared “a new beginning” of relations between America and the Muslim world.   Cont. Reading >>