A DICHOTOMY OF MUSLIM VIEWS TOWARD THE US

Some experts have found a dichotomy of Muslim world attitudes toward the United States. On one hand, many seemed to find the country attractive.

On the other hand, however, Muslims interviewed in focus groups and polled in surveys viewed the United States with a sense of distrust and skepticism, according to Kull' s new book Feeling Betrayed: The Roots of Muslim Anger at America.

"The theme we heard over and over was 'you (America) say you are different from all those colonializers and hegemons that have come through here over the centuries, but you' re not...but in a way we wish you were,' " Kull said.

While there is an attraction to the United States in the Muslim world, there exists at the same time a sense of betrayal that the country does not live up to its commitments, he told a panel in Washington on Wednesday.

Kull collected data from a number of Muslim world countries through focus groups and polls conducted between 2006 and 2010.

Many of those who contributed to the data spoke of a disjuncture between two contradictory forces -the people of the United States, who were described as open and peaceful, and the U.S. government, which participants billed as aggressive.

Still, the majority of respondents also said common ground is possible.

The book outlines a number of narratives that the author said are prevalent in the Muslim world. Among them is the belief that the United States uses the threat of military action to dominate the Muslim world and shape its interests, a view held by the majority of those polled, Kull said.

Another key theme is the perception that United States has laid a claim on Mideast oil, a view held by the majority of respondents, Kull said.

Large majorities also said the United States aims to weaken Islam, to impose a secular order or even Christianity, and impose American culture.