Although things have quietened down a bit around the world, the reverberation from the toxic video clip with regard to Muhammed continue. Where it will all end is anyone's guess at the moment (see here for an American perspective). But one thing appears certain. The dynamics of relationships will likely alter.
Over-arching all that has occurred is that the USA, and the West in general, hasn't reflected on some of the underlying causes for the unrest. Glenn Greenwald did so in The Guardian (see a previous post here on MPS) and now Paul McGeough, veteran reporter and journalist on the Middle East, also does in The Age newspaper.
"Nothing excuses the killings in Libya; just as nothing excuses the too-simplistic riff by some American commentators saying how ungrateful these Egyptians and Libyan are, "after we liberated them".
But when for decades whole populations have been treated as an inconsequential mob, some of them can hardly be blamed for behaving as such when provoked.
Their social landscapes have been cruel, intellectually barren spaces, in which broken-down education and state censorship fostered ignorance and narrowness.
Mrs Clinton appeared be be aware of some of the realities of the region. She told reporters: "It is hard for some people to understand why the US cannot or does not just prevent [such videos] from ever seeing the light of day."
But the Secretary of State failed to join the dots, to sheet home some of the blame for that incomprehension to Washington and the other Western powers, which actively sponsored the dictatorial regimes, or were indifferent to their behaviour.
Those years of rigid censorship are why many in the Muslims world cannot conceive of a society in which the offending film could be produced without the blessing of an arm of government.
To throw off the yoke of state-sponsored ignorance and control without consequence is a big ask.
The naivety of some as they grappled for understanding was touching. There was genuine puzzlement on the part of one imam who spoke to The New York Times in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
"I ask the government of America," he said, "why did they allow a person to insult a man, Muhammad, when by insulting him they sadden the whole Muslim world, and create hatred towards Americans?"
Over-arching all that has occurred is that the USA, and the West in general, hasn't reflected on some of the underlying causes for the unrest. Glenn Greenwald did so in The Guardian (see a previous post here on MPS) and now Paul McGeough, veteran reporter and journalist on the Middle East, also does in The Age newspaper.
"Nothing excuses the killings in Libya; just as nothing excuses the too-simplistic riff by some American commentators saying how ungrateful these Egyptians and Libyan are, "after we liberated them".
But when for decades whole populations have been treated as an inconsequential mob, some of them can hardly be blamed for behaving as such when provoked.
Their social landscapes have been cruel, intellectually barren spaces, in which broken-down education and state censorship fostered ignorance and narrowness.
Mrs Clinton appeared be be aware of some of the realities of the region. She told reporters: "It is hard for some people to understand why the US cannot or does not just prevent [such videos] from ever seeing the light of day."
But the Secretary of State failed to join the dots, to sheet home some of the blame for that incomprehension to Washington and the other Western powers, which actively sponsored the dictatorial regimes, or were indifferent to their behaviour.
Those years of rigid censorship are why many in the Muslims world cannot conceive of a society in which the offending film could be produced without the blessing of an arm of government.
To throw off the yoke of state-sponsored ignorance and control without consequence is a big ask.
The naivety of some as they grappled for understanding was touching. There was genuine puzzlement on the part of one imam who spoke to The New York Times in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
"I ask the government of America," he said, "why did they allow a person to insult a man, Muhammad, when by insulting him they sadden the whole Muslim world, and create hatred towards Americans?"
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