I'm with Stew on this one. A good chunk of the 'western world' ie Britain, France, Spain etc rode roughshod over the world for years and built up a chunk of resentment. As various 'colonies' were relinquished, I think some of that resentment has decreased, time helped to heal etc.

Unfortunately the USA, UK and others, while politically stating things have changed, are still up to all the old tricks in the name of money. I can't help but be cynical when linking western military/peacekeeping activity in Africa and the Middle East with oil and other resources.

The west heads in to prevent human rights atrocities...where it benefits us financially, but if a country is our 'friend' financially then do we lift a finger against them when they commit atrocities? Nope...

/even bigger cynic