Dr. Roya Izadi (Political Science) will be leading a political science research study regarding anti-American behavior globally. While existing literature explores the causes and consequences of negative sentiments, there is a significant gap in understanding anti-American behavior. This project addresses this gap by analyzing original data on 5272 incidents against American citizens and interests worldwide from 1987 to 2015. The research question focuses on why groups/individuals choose specific actions versus others (e.g., decide to engage in non-violent protests versus decide to resort to bombing or other type of violent attacks) and the factors influencing their choice of targets (American businesses, tourists, diplomatic locations, military bases).

Significance:  The theory suggests that resistance or opposition to the United States can be conceptualized as a reactive response to its multifaceted policies and actions in the global stage. In other words, how the world perceives U.S. actions, be they diplomatic, military, or economic, plays a pivotal role in shaping global behavior toward the U.S. The theory suggests that these behaviors are not random but linked to the perceived impact and consequences of U.S. initiatives. The results of the project are crucial for policymakers in assessing proper policy decisions/responses by the U.S. government.