Brutality

Again, the international and US media seem to report from two different worlds.

In Norwegian media, the situation in Iraq is seen as a civil war between Sunnis and the new power (Shiite-US coalition), where the US is taking one side in the conflict. In US media, they typically still cling to the simplistic idea of insurgents/rebels/terrorists - often not acknowledging the much deeper split within the population and the widespread opposition to the illegal US invation and occupation.

Internationally, there is also a great deal of dismay and disbelief in watching the profound brutality in the US approach. Where there are still very real possibilities for nonviolent/political resolutions, the US choose violence with the result of thousands and tens of thousands dead. In this context, it started with the war itself. The UN had good access to Iraq and they knew that Hussein was and could not be a threat to any other country (as the UN inspectors and international experts repeated in the international media, and was ignored by US officials). And it is continued in the occupation, which is likely to be long lasting (over many years or even decades).

It reflects a profoundly unhealthy attitude in the US government. An attitude of brutality, dehumanization, and power-over, which unfortunately is in many ways systemic in US society and reflected in the population in general. It is a power-centered rather than a life-centered view. It is reflected in the US internal policies (little support to the weakest in society), in US international policies, and in the culture in general.

And it leads to an increased opposition to US dominance, culture and "values". How can it not?