Abstract
This paper is a critical analysis of potential Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism in Saudi Arabia. Particularly the significance of the Gulf War of 1990/1991 and the resulting stationing of US troops inside the Saudi kingdom for the Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism will be analyzed.
Hereby, this project seeks to investigate whether the reactions to the American presence in Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab/Islamic region are of anti-American nature or whether they reveal other proprieties.
With the help of various Arabic and American sources the research question is approached and compared from both sides. The inclusion of Arabic sources of Saudi opposition leaders allows this paper to examine which leitmotifs dominate the discourse on American soldiers in Saudi Arabia.
Overall, four main reactions are identified and discussed with the means of a qualitative analysis: Foreigners and disbelievers in Saudi Arabia, opposition to the Saudi royal family, an exploitation of anti-Americanism, and a liberal movement.
The resulting main themes lead to this paper’s thesis that an anti-American characterization of the reactions to the American troop presence during the Gulf War is a questionable simplification of the situation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Sources and Method
- The Problems of Defining Anti-Americanism
- America: Hated for What it is or for What it Does?
- A Clash of Civilizations?
- Historical Overview
- The Arab/Islamic World During the Colonial Period
- Pan-Arabism and Pan-Islamism
- US Foreign Policy in the Arab World
- The Significance of Israel and Palestine
- The Phenomenon of the “Mu’amarah” in the Arab World
- Reactions to US Forces in Saudi Arabia
- A Brief History of Saudi Arabia
- Overview of the Origins and Events of the Gulf War 1990/1991
- Foreigners and Disbelievers in Saudi Arabia
- Opposition to the Saudi Royal Family
- Al-Qaeda and the Concept of the “Near and Far Enemy”
- The Liberals Inside the Saudi Kingdom
- American Self-Perception
- Conclusion and Outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper is a critical analysis of potential Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism in Saudi Arabia. The significance of the Gulf War of 1990/1991 and the resulting stationing of US troops inside the Saudi kingdom for the Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism will be analyzed. The research seeks to investigate whether reactions to the American presence in Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab/Islamic region are of anti-American nature or whether they reveal other proprieties. The main themes and key ideas explored in the paper include:- The impact of the Gulf War on Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism
- The role of foreign influence and the presence of non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia
- The dynamics of opposition to the Saudi royal family
- The strategic considerations of Al-Qaeda and its use of anti-Americanism
- The emergence of liberal movements and their hopes for reform in Saudi Arabia
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction
This chapter introduces the topic of Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism and its potential connection to the Gulf War of 1990/1991. It outlines the research question and the methodology used in the paper. It also discusses the challenges of defining anti-Americanism and provides a workable definition for the study.Sources and Method
This chapter elaborates on the sources used for the analysis, which include Arabic newspapers, manifestos, speeches, and interviews. The method of hermeneutical analysis is employed to examine the sources and uncover reoccurring themes.The Problems of Defining Anti-Americanism
This chapter delves into the complexities of defining anti-Americanism, examining different perspectives and critiquing existing typologies. It ultimately proposes a definition that focuses on a systematic rejection of US policies and culture.Historical Overview
This chapter provides a historical overview of the Arab/Islamic world, focusing on the colonial period, the rise of Pan-Arabism and Pan-Islamism, and US foreign policy in the region. It also explores the significance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the phenomenon of the Mu'amarah (conspiracy) in Arab politics.Reactions to US Forces in Saudi Arabia
This chapter examines the diverse reactions to the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. It covers the debate among religious scholars about the legitimacy of foreign intervention, the opposition to the Saudi royal family, the role of Al-Qaeda, and the emergence of liberal movements.American Self-Perception
This chapter explores how the US government has assessed its image and standing in the Arab/Islamic world, focusing on a Senate Hearing on Arab opinion concerning American policies, values, and people. It highlights differing perspectives on the source of Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism.Conclusion and Outlook
This chapter summarizes the findings of the paper, highlighting the complexities of Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism and the limitations of viewing it solely as a product of US actions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse factors shaping Arab sentiment and underscores the need for further research on the intricate relationship between the United States and the Arab/Islamic world.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores the complex landscape of Arab/Islamic anti-Americanism in the context of the Gulf War of 1990/1991. Key concepts examined include the impact of US military presence in Saudi Arabia, the role of foreign influence and religious beliefs, the dynamics of opposition movements, the strategic considerations of Al-Qaeda, and the emergence of liberal movements seeking reforms.- Citation du texte
- M.A. Michael Schmid (Auteur), 2009, What’s behind all the Hate? The Truth about Arab/Islamic Antagonism towards the United States, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/196537
