[CNN] In the days following the Gay Paree attacks, some news outlets seemed intent on helping ISIS' propaganda efforts.
"Terrorism is an American product," blared one headline. Another recycled the tired, false-flag conspiracy theory that certain foreign intelligence agencies had carried out the attack in order to give Western countries carte blanche to invade the Arab world -- or whatever else they want to do -- in the name of fighting terrorism. It was reminiscent of the talk that was heard after 9/11.
Sadly, these headlines didn't come from ISIS or its offshoots. Instead, they came from the state-run media outlets of Egypt, ostensibly an ally in the U.S. effort to fight terror. And they were by no means the only examples. Just a quick survey of major opinion pieces in the Egyptian state-controlled media encapsulates a point of view that Egyptians are frequently bombarded with, with headlines including: "The Racism of the West and Terrorism," "Terrorism and the Super Powers," "The Western Deceit."
|