The Anti-Western Sentiment

The anti-Western sentiment, which has intensified in recent years, finds its roots in decades of tensions, perceived injustices, and diplomatic errors that have marked relations between the West and third-world countries. Exploited by powers like Russia and China, this sentiment feeds off the perception of a “double standard” in Western policy, particularly concerning conflicts and the rights of Arab countries versus Israel. Here is a historical analysis of this rise in resentment and the errors that have fueled it.

1940s-1970s: Colonialism and Unfinished Decolonization

In the immediate post-war period, as European countries rebuild their economies, decolonization becomes a global issue. African and Asian nations aspire to independence, but many inherit artificial borders, internal ethnic conflicts, and destabilized economies. The role of Western powers, which continue to exploit the resources of these regions, faces widespread criticism. Additionally, the interference of the CIA and other Western agencies in countries like Iran (the coup against Mossadegh in 1953) or Congo (the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in 1961) to protect economic and strategic interests intensifies resentment against the West.

1970s-1990s: Military Interventionism and Proxy Wars

During the Cold War, the United States and the USSR vie for influence in southern countries, often turning them into theaters of bloody conflict (Afghanistan, Angola, Latin America). The United States supports dictatorial regimes or paramilitary movements to counter Soviet influence, perpetuating violence and instability. This intervention in internal affairs, under the pretext of protecting “freedom” and “democracy,” leaves a bitter taste. Local populations perceive this interventionism as hypocritical and neo-colonial, especially when human rights are trampled.

1990s-2000s: The “Double Standard” in the Israeli-Arab Conflict

In the 1990s, after the Cold War, anti-Western sentiment evolves around the Palestinian question. The United States and other Western powers strongly support Israel, through military aid or diplomatic backing. This policy sharply contrasts with the Western stance toward Arab states, often accused of human rights violations and a lack of democracy. When the West imposes sanctions on Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, causing significant humanitarian crises, this firmness contrasts with the apparent tolerance of Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza. This perception of unequal treatment intensifies with each new episode of violence in the Middle East, where Western decisions often seem biased.

2000s: The War on Terror and the Perception of a “War Against Islam”

The September 11, 2001 attacks mark the beginning of a new era. The U.S.-led “War on Terror” in Afghanistan and Iraq is perceived by many Muslim countries as an assault on their civilization. Images from Abu Ghraib, drone attacks in Pakistani, Yemeni, or Somali territories, and U.S. military errors (e.g., the Iraq War based on false claims of weapons of mass destruction) fuel a sense of betrayal and anger. These wars, coupled with the continued Western support of Israel, crystallize the perception that the West disregards Muslim lives and applies a double moral standard.

2010s: Arab Spring, Migration Crisis, and New Partnerships

The Arab Spring, which began in 2011, brings hope for democracy in the Arab world, but Western powers’ responses are ambiguous. While the fall of dictatorships in Tunisia and Egypt is initially supported, the handling of crises in Libya and Syria reveals, once again, the inconsistency of Western policies. In Libya, NATO intervention precipitates chaos, while Western support for opposition groups in Syria creates a devastating civil war. Meanwhile, the migration crisis in Europe generates sometimes harsh reception policies and internal tensions, accentuating anti-Western sentiment among people from migrants’ home countries.

2020s: Russian and Chinese Exploitation of Anti-Western Sentiment

With China’s emergence as a superpower and Russia’s return to the global stage, these countries exploit anti-Western resentment. For example, China offers economic partnerships to Africa and Asia through the “Belt and Road Initiative,” with no human rights conditions, which appeals to leaders tired of Western “moralizing.” Russia, in turn, positions itself as a counterweight to the U.S. in the Middle East, supporting regimes like Bashar al-Assad’s in Syria and funding disinformation campaigns to tarnish the West’s image.

Israel and the Burden of the “Double Standard”

The Israeli-Palestinian question remains a focal point of resentment. The international community regularly condemns Israeli human rights violations and settlement expansion, but these criticisms rarely lead to sanctions. Conversely, Arab or Muslim countries taking controversial positions often face swift economic or military repercussions. This differentiated treatment fuels the idea that the U.S. and Europe have a biased and discriminatory foreign policy, exacerbating tensions in Muslim countries and lending substance to anti-Western rhetoric.

Conclusion

The rise in anti-Western sentiment does not stem from isolated events but from decades of interactions, often marked by interference, perceived hypocrisy, and a lack of respect for local populations. The West continues to apply varied standards based on its strategic interests, fostering discontent and mistrust. This situation allows rival powers like China and Russia to present an alternative, or at least to widen the gap between the West and Southern countries, which aspire to a foreign policy more respectful of their sovereignty and real needs.