What's happened
On January 13, 2026, the US Treasury and State Departments designated the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and the Egyptian and Jordanian branches as specially designated global terrorists. The move targets their alleged support for Hamas and aims to cut off resources and restrict members' access to the US.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic US Move Against Islamist Networks
The US designation of the Muslim Brotherhood's Lebanese, Egyptian, and Jordanian chapters as terrorist entities marks a significant escalation in Washington's approach to Islamist groups it associates with regional instability and terrorism. This action follows President Trump's 2025 executive order and reflects a sustained effort to disrupt the Brotherhood's alleged support for Hamas and other militant activities.
Political and Diplomatic Implications
- The designation aligns the US with allies like Egypt and the UAE, who have long viewed the Brotherhood as a threat.
- It risks straining relations with countries like Qatar and Turkey, where the Brotherhood maintains some tolerance.
- The move will complicate visa and asylum processes for Brotherhood affiliates, potentially affecting immigration policies in Western countries.
Impact on Regional Dynamics
- The sanctions aim to choke financial and operational resources, limiting the Brotherhood's influence in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt.
- The designation may deepen the Brotherhood's underground status, potentially pushing some factions toward further militancy.
Broader Consequences
This decision signals a US intent to aggressively counter Islamist political movements it deems destabilizing, potentially reshaping Middle Eastern political landscapes and US alliances. It also reflects domestic political pressures from right-wing groups advocating hardline stances against Islamist organizations.
The designation will likely provoke debate over the balance between counterterrorism and political freedoms in the region, with long-term effects on US foreign policy and regional stability.
What the papers say
According to AP News, the US Treasury and State Departments announced sanctions against the Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood chapters, citing their support for Hamas and threats to US interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.” The New Arab highlighted that this move fulfills a Trump administration pledge and could affect US relations with Qatar and Turkey. Al Jazeera detailed the legal implications, noting the designations ban material support and restrict entry to the US. The NY Post provided specifics on the Lebanese leader Muhammad Fawzi Taqqosh’s designation and Treasury’s claims of the Brotherhood’s coordination with Hamas, including rocket attacks after the 2023 Gaza war. The Independent and AP News offered historical context on the Brotherhood’s origins, political evolution, and crackdowns in Egypt. France 24 emphasized the broader regional bans, including Jordan’s 2025 prohibition, and the US’s intent to counter violence and destabilization. These sources collectively illustrate a coordinated US effort to label and sanction the Brotherhood’s key chapters, reflecting both security concerns and geopolitical calculations.
How we got here
Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood grew into a pan-Arab Islamist movement advocating Islamic governance. It has faced bans and crackdowns in Egypt and other countries due to alleged militancy and political opposition. The US had considered designations since 2019, with some states already labeling it terrorist.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the US terrorist designation for the Muslim Brotherhood?
- How might this affect US relations with Middle Eastern countries like Qatar and Turkey?
- What is the history of the Muslim Brotherhood and its political influence in the region?
Common question
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Why Did the US Target Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as Terrorist Groups?
The US recently designated Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist entities, citing their support for Hamas and involvement in violence. This move raises many questions about US foreign policy, regional stability, and the implications for the Middle East. Below, we explore the reasons behind these sanctions, what being labeled a terrorist group means, and how these actions might impact regional politics and tensions.
More on these topics
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The Society of the Muslim Brothers, better known as the Muslim Brotherhood, is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt by Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna in 1928.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Marco Antonio Rubio is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A Republican, Rubio previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
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Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
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Scott K. H. Bessent is an American hedge fund manager. He is the founder of Key Square Group, a global macro investment firm, and worked as a financier for George Soros.
Bessent has been a major fundraiser and donor for Donald Trump. He was an economic ad
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab country in Western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and the east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and Israel and Palestine