world -- and there's no sign of them dying down. Is this still because of that controversial film driving the fury -- or is there more to it? Brian Becker: I believe the film -- as offensive and disgusting as it is -- should be understood as nothing more than a catalyst -- a trigger -- of pent up frustration, anger, rage that exists not only in Pakistan but also throughout the Muslim world, that's accumulated over the past decade as a consequence of the invasion of Iraq and the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. The endless drone attacks against Pakistan, the killing of 19 Pakistani soldiers by US forces -- their supposed allies at that border a year ago. All these elements have contributed to a picture, an atmosphere, where there's great rage. A film, as disgusting as it is, could never have triggered these protests if it wasn't for the larger context year. RT: According to opinion polls, anti-American sentiment has been growing in Muslim countries for years -- why is Washington failing to stop this from happening? BB: Some people call it blowback. I think a more rational explanation would be that people don't want to live under occupation. People don't want foreign military forces to kill them from robotic airplanes they never see. People don't want their soldiers at border crossings to be blown away by US missiles. The American government is handicapped because the essence of its policy is to use military force to pacify