Firstly, the idea that the cultural characteristics of some nations determine their behavior is rooted in the orientalist way of thinking, which is firmly entrenched in the period of colonialism. The orientalism constructs the image of the timeless orient as if the Orient, unlike the West, does not develop, and it should be noted that the East is initially considered as something placid. Western paternalism sustained this concept and constructed the nexus of the cultural affiliation and qualities relevant to it. Hence, the idea of the oriental peoples otherness is reflected in the conception that aboriginal cultures were frozen in a pre-modern state similar to what Europe faced in ancient times.2
When Napoleon came to Egypt and the British conquered India,3 it seemed to be essential to explain people of different colors and cultures in order to understand them and, consequently, to rule them. Thus, culture and religion became political constructs involved in governmental processes.
However, it should be mentioned that political Islam appeared during the period of colonialism, but it did not enforce the terrorism mo
vement until the Cold War. While explaining political Islam as a result of the U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, it is essential to take into account both general historical vista with regard to the time of colonialism and changes that happened in the wake of U.S. diplomatic policy.
When applied to the American experience, in contrast to French and British orientalism, it is less direct and more politically oriented due to the presence of Israel. A Jewish state appeared in the middle of the Islamic oriental world, and America is its major ally.4 The American orientalism is more complex since the coincidence between its interests in Islamic states, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, on the ground of oil, and in Israel, whose independence the U.S. recognized with pride. Israelis perception of the Arab world as an enemy is inevitably imported into the American orientalism.5 It resulted in the fact that the discourse regarding the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is always politically charged. As a consequence, Muslims play the role of violent, irrational terrorists, which only reinforces the process of demonizing Islam.