Building and maintaining security arrangements that assure the stability of the Persian Gulf region and unimpeded commercial access to its petroleum reserves, which are vital to our economic prosperity. Ensuring fair access for American business to commercial opportunities in the region. Promoting more open political and economic systems and respect for human rights and the rule of law. While not inclusive, these categories provide an initial template for further analysis. This perspective, however, is primarily negative.
Distorted perceptions occur readily in the media.
Western economic self-interest, political expediency, and material interest cloud any fair or just treatment of Islam. Some abuse their religion to justify, in the name of Islam, the violence they commit. Personal notoriety results. Political causes are the focus. The stereotypical notion of all Muslims as violence-prone zealots falsifies true Islamic practice.