US Has Zero Credibility Among Muslims – Pentagon Panel

Can you believe it? Even a penatgon panel says that the policies of the US in the Middle East need revamping. When will this administration get it? What is disturbing, though, is the report was finished in September, but somehow held until now to be revealed. Someone was eager to have someone lose.

Here is a quote

The document also called on U.S. policymakers to spend more time "listening" to their intended audience and use messages that "should seek to reduce, not increase, perceptions of arrogance, opportunism, and double standards."

And another

The DSB report also stresses that U.S. policies in the Mideast – notably Washington's support for Israel, the Iraq invasion, and its backing of autocratic leaders in the region – make it very difficult for Washington to persuade Muslims of its good intentions. The report, however, does not advise changing policies, which would be beyond its mandate.

A third

Thus, contrary to the mantra of the administration and its neoconservative advisers, asserts the report, "Muslims do not 'hate our freedom,' but rather, they hate our policies. The overwhelming majority voice their objections to what they see as one-sided support in favor of Israel and against Palestinian rights, and the long-standing even increasing support for what Muslims collectively see as tyrannies, most notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, and the Gulf states."

It is amazing that this report finally makes it under a hawkish Bush presidency. Even though this report is not entirely representative of the views in the Muslim world, it is much closer to the real situation than the silly comments that the Muslim world hates the freedom of the west.