What's happened
On January 13, 2026, the US 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 rocket attacks on Israel, imposing sanctions and travel bans amid regional tensions.
What's behind the headline?
US Strategic Shift on Muslim Brotherhood
The US government's designation of the Muslim Brotherhood's Lebanese, Egyptian, and Jordanian branches marks a decisive escalation in its counterterrorism policy. By labeling the Lebanese branch a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) — the most severe classification — and the others as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT), Washington signals a zero-tolerance approach to groups linked to Hamas and regional violence.
Political and Regional Implications
- The Lebanese Brotherhood's alleged coordination with Hamas and Hezbollah in rocket attacks on Israel intensifies the group's regional security threat.
- Egypt and Jordan's branches are accused of materially supporting Hamas, complicating US relations with these key allies.
- The designations align with longstanding Egyptian and Gulf Arab efforts to suppress the Brotherhood, reflecting shared security concerns.
Domestic and International Repercussions
- The sanctions will freeze assets, restrict travel, and criminalize support, severely limiting the Brotherhood's operational capabilities.
- The move may strain US ties with countries like Qatar and Turkey, where the Brotherhood has some political tolerance.
- It will likely influence immigration and asylum policies in the US and allied Western countries, tightening scrutiny on Brotherhood affiliates.
Forecast
This designation will deepen the Brotherhood's marginalization in the Middle East and globally, curtailing its political influence and financial networks. However, it risks exacerbating tensions in Lebanon and Jordan, where the Brotherhood retains popular support. The US will likely continue a sustained campaign to dismantle the Brotherhood's capabilities, shaping regional security dynamics for years to come.
What the papers say
The New Arab highlights the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood's condemnation of the US move as "administrative and political," accusing Washington of serving "Israeli interests" without judicial basis. The group insists on continuing political participation in Lebanon's upcoming elections (The New Arab, 14 Jan 2026).
The Times of Israel and Reuters emphasize the US Treasury's labeling of the three branches as "specially designated global terrorists," citing their support for violent attacks against Israel and US partners. They note Egypt's welcoming of the designation as a confirmation of the Brotherhood's extremist threat (The Times of Israel, 13 Jan 2026; Reuters, 13 Jan 2026).
The Independent and AP News provide historical context, tracing the Brotherhood's founding in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna and its evolution from social services to militancy. They detail crackdowns in Egypt post-2013 and Jordan's 2025 ban, underscoring the group's complex regional role (The Independent, 13 Jan 2026; AP News, 13 Jan 2026).
Al Jazeera and France 24 report Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement framing the designations as the start of a sustained effort to counter Brotherhood-linked violence and destabilization, with legal and economic tools to choke their resources (Al Jazeera, 13 Jan 2026; France 24, 13 Jan 2026).
The NY Post focuses on the designation of Lebanese leader Muhammad Fawzi Taqqosh as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, highlighting Treasury officials' claims of the Egyptian and Jordanian branches' coordination with Hamas and efforts to destabilize their governments (NY Post, 13 Jan 2026).
Together, these sources provide a multifaceted view of the US decision, its regional ramifications, and the Brotherhood's contested legacy.
How we got here
Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood is a pan-Islamist movement with political and social influence across the Middle East. While its leaders claim peaceful political participation, some branches have armed wings. The group has faced bans and crackdowns in Egypt, Jordan, and other countries, amid accusations of militancy and destabilization.
Go deeper
- What led the US to designate these Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations?
- How have Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan reacted to the US sanctions?
- What impact will these designations have on regional security and US foreign relations?
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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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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