One of the major reasons for criticism of the United States is its [[foreign policy]]. Both before and after it became the most powerful nation in the world, America has opposed and attacked governments and countries, which often have led to long-lived anti-American sentiments, not only in the attacked countries but also in those which feel threatened by American power. In [[Canada]], for example, anti-American sentiment was strengthened by the [[War of 1812]].
InterferenceThe scope and scale of interference in foreignthe affairs of other countries itself has angered many. It was often perceived as an illegitimate interference with the politics of other countries, often with a hegemonial attitude, particularly in [[Latin America]] and the [[Philippines]] ([[Philippine-American War]]).
America's conductrole in the [[Vietnam War]] also created extensive anti-American sentiment in many countries because of the massive civilian causulties. During this war, the U.S. conducted massive bombing campaigns against [[Cambodia]]; an estimated 600,000 civilians were killed, reminding many of the controversial use of the [[atomic bomb|atomic bombs]] at the end of [[World War II]] in [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]]. The also used chemicals for deforestation that had devastating long-term environmental effects (see [[Agent Orange]]).
It is often criticizedsaid that U.S. foreign policies are inconsistent. One example is [[Iraq|Iraqi]] leader [[Saddam Hussein]], who was supported and supplied by the U.S. during the [[Iran-Iraq war|war against Iran]] in the [[1980s]]. When the Senate passed a bill to condemn the Iraqi use of poison gas, then-president [[Ronald Reagan]] threatened to veto the bill if it passed the House. Later U.S. presidents [[George H. W. Bush]] and [[George W. Bush]] fought two wars against Hussein ([[Gulf War]] and 2003 invasion of Iraq).
Critics also claim that the United States supported [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] [[mujahedin]] forces during that country's occupation by the [[Soviet Union]] but later fought against them. Others point out that the mujahedin [[Northern Alliance]] was America's ally against the [[Taliban]]. (See [[U.S. invasion of Afghanistan]]).
