Trump weighs labelling Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group

[webfact]

Trump weighs labelling Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group

By Steve Holland and Arshad Mohammed

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is working to designate the MuslimBrotherhood a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO), the White House said on Tuesday, which would bring sanctions against Egypt's oldest Islamist movement.

 

"The president has consulted with his national security team and leaders in the region who share his concern and this designation is working its way through the internal process,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in an email.

 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asked Trump to make the designation during an April 9 visit to Washington, a senior U.S. official said, confirming a report in the New York Times on Tuesday.

 

After the meeting, Trump praised Sisi as a "great president" while a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers raised concerns about Sisi’s human rights record, his efforts to stay in office until 2034 and Egypt's planned Russian arms purchases.

 

The White House did not say on what basis it might label the group a terrorist organisation and former officials questioned whether the group met the legal standard of engaging in "terrorist activity" that threatens U.S. citizens or national security.

 

The Brotherhood, which estimates its membership at up to 1 million people, came to power in Egypt’s first modern free election in 2012, a year after long-serving autocrat and U.S. ally Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a popular uprising.

 

As Egypt's army chief in 2013, Sisi engineered the removal of elected President Mohamed Mursi, a senior Brotherhood figure, and a subsequent crackdown on its supporters as well as liberal opposition in Egypt. Sisi was then elected president in 2014.

 

After Mursi's overthrow, the Brotherhood was swiftly banned in Egypt. Authorities declared it a terrorist organisation and jailed thousands of followers as well as much of its leadership, including Mursi.

 

The Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, says it is a non-violent movement and denies any relationship to violent insurgencies waged by al Qaeda and Islamic State militants.

 

"We will remain ... steadfast in our work in accordance with our moderate and peaceful thinking," the Brotherhood said in a statement on its website.

 

INTERNAL U.S. DEBATE

It was not clear if the administration was considering blacklisting only the Egyptian branch as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) or all regional offshoots of what analysts say is a heterogeneous group with no central authority.

 

The proposal to designate the group set off a debate within Trump's national security team, the senior U.S. official said.

 

White House national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo support the designation but officials at the Pentagon and elsewhere have been opposed and want more limited action, the senior official said.

 

"The President has heard the concerns about the Muslim Brotherhood from our friends and allies in the Middle East, as well as here at home," said a second senior U.S. official. "Any potential designation would go through a robust, deliberate, and inclusive interagency process."

 

Former U.S. officials were sceptical that the Brotherhood met the U.S. legal standard to be designated an FTO.

 

Daniel Benjamin, the State Department's former top official for counterterrorism who teaches at Dartmouth College, called the idea "mystifying," saying the agency considered the designation in 2017 but concluded there was no basis.

 

Benjamin said U.S. domestic political considerations could be at play with Trump facing re-election in 2020. "There is no question that there has been an effort to meet the appetites of Trump’s very Islamophobic base," he said.

 

Jason Blazakis, a former State Department official who oversaw the FTO designation process, voiced concern that U.S. right-wing groups would be encouraged to call for legal action against domestic Muslim advocacy organizations.

 

"It will be used to go after organizations inappropriately within the United States," said Blazakis, head of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies' Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counter-Terrorism.

 

Analysts said the designation also could complicate U.S. dealings with officials across the Middle East.

 

Under U.S. law, someone who provides "material support" to terrorist groups is subject to extensive penalties. Material support is defined widely and can cover anything from providing funds, transportation or counterfeit documents to giving food, helping to set up tents or distributing literature.

 

Foreign nationals who deal with such groups can be denied U.S. visas or removed from the United States if in the country.

 

Istanbul-based Yehya Hamed, who served as investment minister in the Mursi government, said Trump is "trying to fight with the wind," pointing to the prominent role of Islamist political parties in Tunisia and Morocco.

 

"What Trump is doing is bringing more instability to the region," Hamed said.

 

Formally designating the Brotherhood could also worsen the U.S. relationship with NATO ally Turkey. The organisation has close ties with President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party and many of its members fled to Turkey after it was banned in Egypt.

 

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu, Arshad Mohammed and Jonathan Landay in WASHINGTON; additional Reporting by Omar Fahmy and Aidan Lewis in CAIRO; editing by Franklin Paul, Bill Trott and David Gregorio)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-01

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[OneMoreFarang]

I wander what doctors would label Donald and his condition if they would be allowed to examine him...

[malagateddy]

Well done The Donald..about time this sectarian organisation was " brought to heel ".

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[Saladin]

Surely the main sponsor of terrorism today must be America, due to its military and moral support for Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain, who between them have been responsible for the displacement of millions, the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and the steady erosion of whatever little democracy and freedom existed before. With friends lie that, who needs enemies. America has lost its way and all credibility. Whatever happened to the high ideals that America once stood for which were so admired by the rest of us? It has now become the capo di capi of a bunch of murderous thugs.

[JAG]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wander what doctors would label Donald and his condition if they would be allowed to examine him...

"barking" springs to mind!

[bristolboy]

34 minutes ago, malagateddy said:

Well done The Donald..about time this sectarian organisation was " brought to heel ".

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Well, it should please the Saudis who blame the Muslim Brotherhood for terrorism. And the Israelis who strongly support the US favoring the Sisi regime in Egypt.  I'm sure that thiese considerations had nothing to do with Trump's decision.

[malagateddy]

Well, it should please the Saudis who blame the Muslim Brotherhood for terrorism. And the Israelis who strongly support the US favoring the Sisi regime in Egypt.  I'm sure that thiese considerations had nothing to do with Trump's decision.

Haven't a clue re what was considered before the decision was taken..however I seem to recall that when the m.br/hood ran the Egyptian show..NON ISLAMIC places of worship were torched and there was violence against no muslims.
" religion of peace " you're having a laugh[emoji6]

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[JAG]

46 minutes ago, malagateddy said:

Well done The Donald..about time this sectarian organisation was " brought to heel ".

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Sectarian and terrorist are two very different things. In the UK, for example, The Orange Order is undeniably a sectarian organisation (it revels in being sectarian, it's very constitution declares it is) but it is not a terrorist organisation.

 

The Muslim Brotherhood is sectarian, it is an outfit which I find deeply distasteful, and with whose aims I disagree, but I am not convinced that it is a terrorist organisation. In the context of Egypt, it won an election and installed a government which was not to the USA's liking. "President" Sisi overthrew that government and installed one which is perhaps rather more to the USA's liking. Perhaps the question is, is it to the Egyptian peoples liking?

[malagateddy]

"barking" springs to mind!

Well now..just imagine if hilary had become president( whatreallyhappened.com/ the mena cover up ).....
Her 1st move would've been to go " gung ho " into Syria I suspect.
The DONALD is OK imo.

Have a lovely day..cheers

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[bristolboy]

Just now, malagateddy said:

Well now..just imagine if hilary had become president( whatreallyhappened.com/ the mena cover up ).....
Her 1st move would've been to go " gung ho " into Syria I suspect.
The DONALD is OK imo.

Have a lovely day..cheers

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But but but imaginary actions of Hillary!

[malagateddy]

Sectarian and terrorist are two very different things. In the UK, for example, The Orange Order is undeniably a sectarian organisation (it revels in being sectarian, it's very constitution declares it is) but it is not a terrorist organisation.
 
The Muslim Brotherhood is sectarian, it is an outfit which I find deeply distasteful, and with whose aims I disagree, but I am not convinced that it is a terrorist organisation. In the context of Egypt, it won an election and installed a government which was not to the USA's liking. "President" Sisi overthrew that government and installed one which is perhaps rather more to the USA's liking. Perhaps the question is, is it to the Egyptian peoples liking?

As a Glasgow man..I dislike the orange order, the order if the hibernians etc etc.
It is disgraceful that in Glasgow and surrounding areas..local authorities persist with imo..the religious apartheid sectarian educational system.
Sadly playing that card gets them votes.
Now back to the topic..never been to Egypt so honestly do not know much about the country it's politics..quality of life of the average Egyptian.
Cheers

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[Tug]

52 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Well, it should please the Saudis who blame the Muslim Brotherhood for terrorism. And the Israelis who strongly support the US favoring the Sisi regime in Egypt.  I'm sure that thiese considerations had nothing to do with Trump's decision.

You are giving Donald far to much credit probably just pandering to his shrinking base and trolling everyone else 

[candide]

Short explanation: the Muslim Brotherhood is in competition with the Salafist organisations in Egypt and in other ME countries. The Muslim Brotherhood is supported by Quatar and Salafist organisations by Saudi Arabia. You get it? 

 

In addition the Muslim Brotherhood is not particularly known for terrorism. Actually terrorist attackers In the 2000's rather claimed allegiance to Al-Qaida and ISIS, which are close to Salafists.

 

Again, a decision aiming to please Saudi Arabia. Same pattern as In Lybia where Trump supports the opponent allied to Salafist organisations.

Edited May 1, 2019 by candide

[Chomper Higgot]

48 minutes ago, malagateddy said:

Haven't a clue re what was considered before the decision was taken..however I seem to recall that when the m.br/hood ran the Egyptian show..NON ISLAMIC places of worship were torched and there was violence against no muslims.
" religion of peace " you're having a laugh

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And while Trump is running the show non Christian places of worship are being torched and people at prayer are being murdered.

 

Away with you and your habitual anti Islam ranting.

 

 

[Boon Mee]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

"barking" springs to mind!

Yes, barking dogs infused with severe TDS nipping at his heels! 555 

[Brickbat]

Once their oil runs out, the Masters of War will create new “ terrorists” to terrorise. Dopey bloody public! 

[norfolkc]

The M.B said if they came to power in Egypt that they would close the Suez canal and start a war with Israel so maybe it was as well that they never got power in Egypt as that would have led to another war in the M.E over the canal involving non-muslim countries 

[bristolboy]

1 minute ago, norfolkc said:

The M.B said if they came to power in Egypt that they would close the Suez canal and start a war with Israel so maybe it was as well that they never got power in Egypt as that would have led to another war in the M.E over the canal involving non-muslim countries 

Except of course that they did come to power. Does the name "Morsi" ring any bells?

[bristolboy]

4 minutes ago, norfolkc said:

The M.B said if they came to power in Egypt that they would close the Suez canal and start a war with Israel so maybe it was as well that they never got power in Egypt as that would have led to another war in the M.E over the canal involving non-muslim countries 

And by the way, from what source did you come up with that nonsense that the Muslim Brotherhood promised to close the Suez Canal?

[racket]

How about labeling Islam as a terrorist organisation? 

[malagateddy]

And while Trump is running the show non Christian places of worship are being torched and people at prayer are being murdered.
 
Away with you and your habitual anti Islam ranting.
 
 

Oh well..suppose I cannot please everyone[emoji23][emoji54][emoji23]...
or perhaps you have the " hots " for hillary???[emoji2][emoji2][emoji2]

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[malagateddy]

Yes, barking dogs infused with severe TDS nipping at his heels! 555 

TDS...????????

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[OneMoreFarang]

2 minutes ago, racket said:

How about labeling Islam as a terrorist organisation? 

And how about Christians?

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, JAG said:

but I am not convinced that it is a terrorist organisation.

• The Egyptian Brotherhood renounced violence years ago, but its relative moderation has made it the target of extreme vilification by more radical Islamists. Al Qaeda’s leaders, Osama bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri, started their political lives affiliated with the Brotherhood but both have denounced it for decades as too soft and a cat’s paw of Mubarak and America.
• They [ President Obama and Secretary Clinton] should not be afraid of the Muslim Brotherhood. Living with it won’t be easy but it should not be seen as inevitably our enemy. We need not demonize it nor endorse it.

https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/dont-fear-egypts-muslim-brotherhood/

• The Brotherhood says it is a non-violent movement and denies any relationship to violent insurgencies waged by al Qaeda and Islamic State militants.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-muslimbrotherhood-reaction/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-says-it-will-continue-peaceful-work-regardless-of-trump-moves-idUSKCN1S62FY

 

What's next - Trump declare certain US news media already labeled 'enemies of the people' be called terrorist organizations?

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, malagateddy said:

Haven't a clue re what was considered before the decision was taken..however I seem to recall that when the m.br/hood ran the Egyptian show..NON ISLAMIC places of worship were torched and there was violence against no muslims.
" religion of peace " you're having a laugh

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Correct, IMO. In my recollection under the Morsi government, Christians were being slaughtered, while the rest of the world stood by and did nothing, including the US.

[malagateddy]

Maybe she reminds him of Maggie?

Simply pointing out that the hillary one is but a puppet for the globalists..who make lots of money thro wars being waged..whereas The Donald is trying to keep his armed forces OUT of conflict..also the hillary one is a disgrace..do you remember what happened to the poor USA Ambassador and His Staff in Libya a few years ago??????



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[riclag]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I wander what doctors would label Donald and his condition if they would be allowed to examine him...

 They would find him,Insanely dedicated to his country!

[OneMoreFarang]

2 minutes ago, riclag said:

 They would find him,Insanely dedicated to his country!

With comments like that I never know if I should select the laughing symbol or confused or sad.

Insane sounds about right.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 minutes ago, riclag said:

 They would find him,Insanely dedicated to his country!

Bit unfortunate using "insane" in your reply, but yes, a man that cares about America, before other countries. I wish every western country had leaders that cared about their citizens more than they do.

[malagateddy]

Bit unfortunate using "insane" in your reply, but yes, a man that cares about America, before other countries. I wish every western country had leaders that cared about their citizens more than they do.

Well said sir

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