The recent storming of the United States embassies in Egypt and Libya and the killing of United States diplomats have left many shocked and searching for answers. What is the underlying reason for hostility toward the United States that provokes such extreme acts of violence?  To date, the debate surrounding these tragic events has mainly been centered on the production of a controversial film by Nakoula Nakoula, which depicted the prophet Mohammed in a negative light and insulted the religion of Islam.  This film, which was posted on the video sharing site YouTube, was translated into Arabic and played on television in several nations across North Africa and the Middle East sparking deadly protest.

The video has been removed from the site in several countries across the world except the United States. A court ruled the video could not legally be removed.  While most would agree that the material in the film was offensive, many within the United States disagree with the forceful removal of the video for fear of setting a dangerous precedent for censorship of the Internet. While these discussions are healthy for future policy regarding international relations with the United States, it misses the bigger picture. There is a strikingly different societal landscape across North Africa and the Middle East than there is in North America.

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