OBAMA INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
edited September 2012 in A Moving Train
OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?
“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
Post edited by Unknown User on
«1

Comments

  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,417
    aerial wrote:
    OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

    http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


    US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

    U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

    Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

    Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?

    "OBAMA INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood". That's your thread title.

    I read the entire article. Obama's name is never once mentioned. Seems a little misleading to me.
    "Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!"
    -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"

    "Try to not spook the horse."
    -Neil Young













  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    brianlux wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

    http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


    US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

    U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

    Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

    Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?

    "OBAMA INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood". That's your thread title.

    I read the entire article. Obama's name is never once mentioned. Seems a little misleading to me.



    Obama's Commander-In-Chief
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    Before Osama bin Laden formed al Qaeda, he belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood. So did his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri and the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

    In addition, the terrorist group Hamas identifies itself as the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch.


    Are they not our enemy?
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 40,146
    aerial wrote:
    Before Osama bin Laden formed al Qaeda, he belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood. So did his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri and the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

    In addition, the terrorist group Hamas identifies itself as the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch.


    Are they not our enemy?
    so you are saying we are at war with islam?
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • aerial wrote:
    Before Osama bin Laden formed al Qaeda, he belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood. So did his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri and the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

    In addition, the terrorist group Hamas identifies itself as the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch.


    Are they not our enemy?

    If I was a betting man... I'd say your enemies are those Buddhists. Maybe the Muslims... but I got a sneaking suspicion those Buddhists are planning something huge. Just a hunch.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • We're gonna need as many war-ready allies as possible to take on those pesky Iranians ... or maybe those lousy Syrians!

    :fp:
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
    If I opened it now would you not understand?
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    mickeyrat wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    Before Osama bin Laden formed al Qaeda, he belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood. So did his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri and the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

    In addition, the terrorist group Hamas identifies itself as the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch.


    Are they not our enemy?
    so you are saying we are at war with islam?

    No I did not say that :fp:


    I do not feel we should send our tax money to people who are connected to terrorist (Muslims, Christians,Buddhists) who ever they may be. The majority of Americans do not support any government that oppress human rights issues, rights of women, religious freedoms and on freedom of expression. THAT's what I am saying..............
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 40,146
    aerial wrote:
    mickeyrat wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    Before Osama bin Laden formed al Qaeda, he belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood. So did his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri and the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

    In addition, the terrorist group Hamas identifies itself as the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch.


    Are they not our enemy?
    so you are saying we are at war with islam?

    No I did not say that :fp:


    I do not feel we should send our tax money to people who are connected to terrorist (Muslims, Christians,Buddhists) who ever they may be. The majority of Americans do not support any government that oppress human rights issues, rights of women, religious freedoms and on freedom of expression. THAT's what I am saying..............
    ok, so then to understand correctly, we should cut off military funding to Israel.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    Mickey Rat, Seems you have not kept up with current events for the past 10 years.....
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 40,146
    aerial wrote:
    Mickey Rat, Seems you have not kept up with current events for the past 10 years.....
    umm no, I have a different perspective than you is all. One that starts with , maybe the U.S. quits playing world cop for starters.
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • brianlux wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

    http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


    US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

    U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

    Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

    Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?

    "OBAMA INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood". That's your thread title.

    I read the entire article. Obama's name is never once mentioned. Seems a little misleading to me.
    So nicely said Brian!
  • riotgrlriotgrl LOUISVILLE Posts: 1,895
    So, is this a problem because they are Muslim? Or because this is Obama? Let's apply the same standards to all presidents - if you want to condemn Obama then condemn Reagan as well. Perhaps if more Americans understood their history then they might understand that painting with such a broad stroke can sometimes bite you in the ass. Spend some time really understanding the Reagan Doctrine before you condemn Obama. And just for the record, I am totally opposed to our military being involved in any foreign country at all. We need to shut down all military bases around the world and end all wars.
    Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?

    Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...

    I AM MINE
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    riotgrl wrote:
    So, is this a problem because they are Muslim? Or because this is Obama? Let's apply the same standards to all presidents - if you want to condemn Obama then condemn Reagan as well. Perhaps if more Americans understood their history then they might understand that painting with such a broad stroke can sometimes bite you in the ass. Spend some time really understanding the Reagan Doctrine before you condemn Obama. And just for the record, I am totally opposed to our military being involved in any foreign country at all. We need to shut down all military bases around the world and end all wars.

    OMG I see how how hard you people are trying to twist my post into something it is not....you want me to go through history and list everyone I would condemn? Or can we just stay on the current events my post covers?
    If it said Obama is training nice Muslims, or just nice people, for war I would say cool, help them learn to defend themselves......... but that is not the Muslim Brotherhoods history is it?
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • riotgrlriotgrl LOUISVILLE Posts: 1,895
    aerial wrote:
    riotgrl wrote:
    So, is this a problem because they are Muslim? Or because this is Obama? Let's apply the same standards to all presidents - if you want to condemn Obama then condemn Reagan as well. Perhaps if more Americans understood their history then they might understand that painting with such a broad stroke can sometimes bite you in the ass. Spend some time really understanding the Reagan Doctrine before you condemn Obama. And just for the record, I am totally opposed to our military being involved in any foreign country at all. We need to shut down all military bases around the world and end all wars.

    OMG I see how how hard you people are trying to twist my post into something it is not....you want me to go through history and list everyone I would condemn? Or can we just stay on the current events my post covers?
    If it said Obama is training nice Muslims, or just nice people, for war I would say cool, help them learn to defend themselves......... but that is not the Muslim Brotherhoods history is it?

    The current events of your post relate to bin Laden because you stated that he was, at one time, part of the Muslim Brotherhood and we, the US, should not support terrorists. I agree with that statement and even went so far as to say that we should not use our military to support war or military training with any other nation, at all. However, the US, under President Reagan supported and trained bin Laden which came back to bite us in the ass. I felt that this was relevant to the discussion that you initiated and that, maybe, must maybe, some of us people don't feel that it is ok to overlook past incidents in which the exact same thing happened. For all intents and purposes, I agree with your statement but would like it if we could look at things within the context of history, instead of within one context of current events, as if these events are completely unrelated. I'm not twisting your post but I find it incredibly difficult to view current events without the correct context - it is usually misleading, to say the least.
    Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?

    Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...

    I AM MINE
  • I also heard that Obama is a poopyhead and he has stupid hair.

    I hope Ariel makes a post to tell us more about this fascinating development.

    In related news.... So?
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,417
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T99ah8jQgYg

    WHAAAAT!!! Get me some COFFEE!!

    I'll be hiding under the blankets.

    :lol::lol::lol:
    "Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!"
    -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"

    "Try to not spook the horse."
    -Neil Young













  • fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    Post deleted by Admin. See the Posting Guidelines.
  • MoonpigMoonpig Posts: 659
    aerial wrote:
    OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

    http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


    US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

    U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

    Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

    Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?

    What's wrong with the Muslim Brotherhood?

    Actually, for that matter, what's wrong with Muslims?
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    Moonpig wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

    http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


    US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

    U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

    Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

    Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?

    What's wrong with the Muslim Brotherhood?

    Actually, for that matter, what's wrong with Muslims?

    :shock:
    Lord I miss Frank,Dino,Sammy and Joey....and Mayday Malone :lol:
    if she has said Bush insted of Obama this place would come alive with hell yeahs. :?

    Godfather.
  • MoonpigMoonpig Posts: 659
    Godfather. wrote:
    Moonpig wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

    http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


    US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

    U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

    Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

    Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?

    What's wrong with the Muslim Brotherhood?

    Actually, for that matter, what's wrong with Muslims?

    :shock:
    Lord I miss Frank,Dino,Sammy and Joey....and Mayday Malone :lol:
    if she has said Bush insted of Obama this place would come alive with hell yeahs. :?

    Godfather.

    Again, I have no idea what you're talking about, I was simply asking the above questions to understand why someone would have a problem with Muslims and the Muslim Brotherhood.

    By all means feel free to answer, but I'm really not sure why you feel the need to make my statement about Bush or Obama.
  • fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    Godfather. wrote:
    Moonpig wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    OBAMA CURBS MILITARY DRILLS WITH ISRAEL, INCREASES DRILLS with Muslim Brotherhood

    http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2012/09/us-and-egypt-to-conduct-military-drills.html


    US, Egypt Conducting Joint Military Exercises -- Arutz Sheva

    U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

    Just days after a report that the U.S. was sharply cutting its participation in a military exercise scheduled with Israel, U.S. planes landed in Egypt Tuesday for a joint exercise, the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Code-named “Eagle Arena 2012,” the exercise will include air and naval forays by US and Egyptian planes and boats, over the country, Sinai, and the Red Sea.

    Should we be allies with any Muslim Brotherhood entities?

    What's wrong with the Muslim Brotherhood?

    Actually, for that matter, what's wrong with Muslims?

    :shock:
    Lord I miss Frank,Dino,Sammy and Joey....and Mayday Malone :lol:
    if she has said Bush insted of Obama this place would come alive with hell yeahs. :?

    Godfather.
    Why? You can't defend anything yourself, so you need some gang who doesn't know anything they're talking about to sit here and talk about the big bad scary Muslim Brotherhood, without providing any facts whatsoever? Yeah, it's much easier to hate on something when you have a group of people doing it, regardless of whether there is any factual basis or not.

    And what are you even talking about? if she had said Bush instead of Obama? What kind of hypothetical is that? Bush working with the democratically elected Egyptian government after the toppling of the U.S. puppet dictator? Nothing in that hypothetical even makes sense.

    let's stop talking partisan politics, and start talking facts here, yeah?
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,156
    Moonpig wrote:
    What's wrong with the Muslim Brotherhood?

    Actually, for that matter, what's wrong with Muslims?
    Nothing is wrong with being Muslim.

    However, a political group that is heavily influenced by religion and incorporates religion into their policies is not a good thing. I figure a lot of the posters here would be denouncing this political group based on comments regarding the GOP. :geek:
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    defend myself..... :lol:
    please....muslim brother'hood ?

    Godfather.
  • fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    edited September 2012
    Jason P wrote:
    a political group that is heavily influenced by religion and incorporates religion into their policies is not a good thing. I figure a lot of the posters here would be denouncing this political group based on comments regarding the GOP. :geek:
    A group that does that in the U.S., where the 'separation of church and state' is enshrined in its basic principles for the framework of the constitution, should be denounced.

    But in a FOREIGN country where the OVERWHELMING majority (near 80% according to Gallup polls) wants some incorporation of the Shari`ah in its framework, who are we as a separate nation to argue otherwise? Should we then cut off all cooperation with this country, military or otherwise even if it would be to our mutual benefit, because we disagree with how they choose to govern themselves? It clearly does not stop us working with the Saudis, who actually have a history of human rights violations, and Obama did a $60billion military deal with them, let alone the Bush cooperation with them. Ah yes, but that is to "balance Iran" so that's ok, right? (that question is not directed at you.) And finally, who are we to claim we understand the intricacies of governing with an Islamic reference? The Western experience of the Church is not anywhere close to the Islamic experience, and the recent cases of Iran and Saudi Arabia are not examples to be held in high regard when opposing an 'Islamist' government. So why do we claim such deep knowledge about this when opposing it? And if we don't claim deep knowledge, then how can we justify truly opposing it?
    Post edited by fuck on
  • fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    Godfather. wrote:
    defend myself..... :lol:
    please....muslim brother'hood ?

    Godfather.
    :lol::lol::lol: Using facts and reason in a political debate... :lol::lol: why do that when we have emoticons? :lol::lol::lol:8-)8-)
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    fuck wrote:
    Godfather. wrote:
    defend myself..... :lol:
    please....muslim brother'hood ?

    Godfather.
    :lol::lol::lol: Using facts and reason in a political debate... :lol::lol: why do that when we have emoticons? :lol::lol::lol:8-)8-)

    not too many "fact's" are used on the train, mostly opinion and news articals but I was just thinking,do you know who Frank,Dino,Sammy and Joey are ? maybe not because if you did I doubt you would have replyed with
    "why can't you defend yourself" and I said Mayday Malone because he always got you guys's pantys wadded up
    and it was fun to read.

    Godfather.
  • fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    Godfather. wrote:
    fuck wrote:
    Godfather. wrote:
    defend myself..... :lol:
    please....muslim brother'hood ?

    Godfather.
    :lol::lol::lol: Using facts and reason in a political debate... :lol::lol: why do that when we have emoticons? :lol::lol::lol:8-)8-)

    not too many "fact's" are used on the train, mostly opinion and news articals but I was just thinking,do you know who Frank,Dino,Sammy and Joey are ? maybe not because if you did I doubt you would have replyed with
    "why can't you defend yourself" and I said Mayday Malone because he always got you guys's pantys wadded up
    and it was fun to read.

    Godfather.
    Do you have something meaningful to contribute to this discussion or do you just insist on derailing it?
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    fuck you and the muslim brother'hood thing are not really putting anything down that is fact based..just your opinion right ? so why don't you and moonpig give us some "facts" that show a positive impact on America from the muslim brother'hood.

    Godfather.
  • fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    Godfather. wrote:
    fuck you and the muslim brother'hood thing are not really putting anything down that is fact based..just your opinion right ? so why don't you and moonpig give us some "facts" that show a positive impact on America from the muslim brother'hood.

    Godfather.
    I see what you did there.

    Anyway, what are you talking about? I'm not convinced you really know the difference between fact and opinion. I have written many facts in the previous posts in this thread about why the Muslim Brotherhood is far more complicated than this thread assumes it to be, and some questions I was hoping to further the discussion with. On the other hand, you have yet to present any reasons why the MB is something to fear, or any thing to further the discussion at all.
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    fuck wrote:
    Godfather. wrote:
    fuck you and the muslim brother'hood thing are not really putting anything down that is fact based..just your opinion right ? so why don't you and moonpig give us some "facts" that show a positive impact on America from the muslim brother'hood.

    Godfather.
    I see what you did there.

    Anyway, what are you talking about? I'm not convinced you really know the difference between fact and opinion. I have written many facts in the previous posts in this thread about why the Muslim Brotherhood is far more complicated than this thread assumes it to be, and some questions I was hoping to further the discussion with. On the other hand, you have yet to present any reasons why the MB is something to fear, or any thing to further the discussion at all.

    what ? but anyway here we go man I'll start.

    Godfather.

    •With the popular uprising in Egypt, much public attention has been given to the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), Egypt’s oldest and best organized opposition party. Founded in 1928 by a schoolteacher named Hassan al Banna, the MB is dedicated to imposing Sharia law and reestablishing an Islamic caliphate throughout the Muslim world. Since its inception nearly a century ago, the MB’s creed has been encapsulated in six succinct phrases:
    •Allah is our goal. The Prophet is our leader. The Quran is our constitution. Jihad is our way. Death in the service of Allah is the loftiest of our wishes. Allah is great, Allah is great.
    •This remains the MB’s creed to this day. Despite the organization’s overt Islamist beliefs and endorsement of violence (jihad), however, some misconceptions about the MB have grown in the West. Namely, some believe that the MB (1) has renounced violence, (2) is opposed to al Qaeda, and (3) is pro-democracy. All three propositions are demonstrably false.
    •The purpose of this memo is to summarize just some of the evidence that demonstrates the fallacy of these three arguments.
    •Like most human endeavors, the MB is not a monolith. There is dissent and disagreement within the organization. Still, the overarching direction of the MB is clear. The evidence cited in this memo draws largely from the words of the Egyptian MB’s leadership, beginning with al Banna and continuing with the group’s current leaders. In particular, this memo cites the opinions of three of the MB’s recent supreme guides (the group’s top leadership position): Mustafa Mashhur (1996 – 2002), Muhammad Mahdi ‘Akef (2004 – 2010), and Muhammad Badi' (2010 – present). This analysis also draws from a wealth of other evidence, including the words of renowned MB cleric Sheikh Yousef al Qaradawi, who has an international following and is one of the most influential Muslim clerics in the world.
    •The conclusions reached in this memo are as follows:
    •The MB has not renounced violence. Hassan al Banna made violent jihad a cornerstone of his Brotherhood, embracing what he called “the art of death.” In Section II below, we will briefly review al Banna’s jihadist philosophy, which helped spawn the martyrdom cult that engulfed the world in violence beginning in the latter half of the 20th century. The MB’s most recent leaders have all openly embraced al Banna’s violent vision. Given the enduring relevance of al Banna’s works, it is not surprising to find that the MB endorses violence in the Palestinian-controlled territories and in Israel, as well as against American-led forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hamas, a self-described branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, is one of the premier terrorist organizations on the planet and an innovator in the use of suicide bombings. Egyptian MB leaders routinely praise Hamas and lend the group, at a minimum, rhetorical support during times of crisis. The MB uses non-violent means inside Egypt only because decades of suppression have necessitated it and not because the group believes violence is objectionable.
    •The MB is not al Qaeda’s enemy. At most, the MB and al Qaeda are rivals vying for control of an imagined future dominated by the same core ideology. The MB and al Qaeda have much in common, including their approval of “martyrdom” (suicide) operations.
This discussion has been closed.