Wherever people are sufficiently victimized by systematic state terror.

You are correct regarding the universality of the emotional reaction, but I got the feeling that Professor Cole was being a little facetious about the U.S.'s lack of insight. From the beginning, we have conducted this enterprise as if our actions were isolated from real social contexts, as if Iraqis had no right to any emotional response except gratitude to our nation.

Given that current Iraqi social institutions (courts and prisons, for example, that could operate to mediate direct personal retaliation) are ineffective in providing justice to the Iraqis-- espectially against Americans and other coalition forces-- Professor Cole's remarks are on target.

Ereshkigal,
Ah, I hadn't read Cole's remarks that way - even though I know he's really not the type to engage in reductive stereotyping of Iraqis (though arguably others, on occasion). Perhaps so.

There seems to be an awful lot of real cultural diversity in the world. I'm intrigued by it, and think it's great to call attention to it. But I'm very touchy about a lot of the claims that are made, especially in the context of a neo-colonialist venture. If I misunderstood Cole, that's why.