Difficulties for Washington in the Middle East

US Secretary of State John Kerry visited nine countries in Europe and the Middle East on his first foreign trip in the post, demonstrating Washington’s attention to the Middle East, says an article of People’s Daily. Excerpts:

US President Barack Obama intended to improve US relations with the Islamic world in his first term. But things went contrary to his wishes. He has not calmed the Islamic world’s reaction against hegemonic US policies since the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The Arab Spring directed by the US stimulated anti-US feelings. Islamic political forces that have kept a low profile are returning to the center of the political stage. This means that the US is gradually losing its control of the region.

The US should reflect on its media’s long-term demonization of the Islamic world. The frequent incidents of humiliating Muslims, such as abusing Muslim prisoners, humiliating dead bodies and burning the Quran, are all US open insults to Islamic civilization. Behind the seemingly individual actions is the deep-rooted concept of Western centralism.

If the US does not change its attitude to the Islamic world, politicians’ visits will fail to solve the complexity of its relationship with Islam and the Islamic world.