Rules of Engagement reveals the enduring strength and persistence of the stereotype of violent, hateful Muslims dedicated to destroying the United States and the West. The movie "works" even without the 9/11 worldview. But after 9/11, the damage inflicted by such stereotypes is much greater. Shaheen notes that during times of war and armed conflict, this sort of stereotyping meets little resistance. Western audiences see these disparaging characterizations as confirming the reasons for real-world events such as the destruction of the World Trade Center or the Pentagon. Put simply, movies with Muslim and Arab villains seem even more realistic after 9/11 because of the assumption that Muslims are our real-world enemies who attacked us on 9/11 and with whom we are at war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

XREF: Connects to the broader debate about media stereotyping and how real-world conflict legitimizes fictional portrayals.

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 544