Vasily Ostanin-Golovnya, a researcher at the INION RAS Department of the Near and Post-Soviet East, highlighted in an interview with Izvestia that Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia’s opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood organization stems from their desire to build structures parallel to the state. He noted that Arab monarchies, except Qatar, have consistently been wary of such movements, with Turkey also supporting them.
The U.S. administration had previously considered adding specific branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan to sanction lists but postponed this due to concerns over USAID’s defunct status and potential disruption of regional partnerships. Ostanin-Golovnya emphasized that the shift in U.S. internal politics, including the liquidation of USAID, has created new dynamics, with the administration adopting a more pro-Israel stance.
He pointed out that the U.S. and Israel have explored joint measures against the Muslim Brotherhood, driven by regional security considerations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support for isolating Islamist movements is linked to their ties with Hamas and other radical groups, making it an internal security issue for Israel.
The expert outlined U.S. strategic goals: strengthening alliances with Arab states sharing its security approach, combating extremism, and limiting Islamist movements’ influence in the region. However, he questioned the effectiveness of sanctions against Islamism, noting that the U.S. aims to bridge gaps between Israel and Arab countries, particularly on Palestinian issues, by addressing the Muslim Brotherhood as a new dialogue topic.
This approach, framed as a fight against terrorism and extremism, could help rein in Turkey, a NATO member, and dissuade Qatar from defending Palestinians, including Hamas and other radical factions.
