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Puzzling U.S. Support for Islamists Over Moderates
Good News Magazine ^ | Jan 2013 | Tom Robinson

Posted on 03/23/2013 8:10:09 PM PDT by robowombat

Puzzling U.S. Support for Islamists Over Moderates

article by Tom Robinson

It should be pointed out that there are truly moderate Muslims and non-Muslims scattered throughout the Middle East who desire Western freedoms. They are in the minority, however—just over 20 percent, estimates Andrew McCarthy in his new book Spring Fever: The Illusion of Islamic Democracy (2013, p. 55). But they are not the ones receiving Western support—even in places where they have higher numbers. Consider Tunisia, for example, long regarded as the most Westernized of Arab nations. The Muslim Brotherhood's Ennahda Movement or "Renaissance Party," which Western media wrongly paint as moderate, took over the leadership of the country after the 2011 revolution but captured only 42 percent of the popular vote. Though restrained by having to govern through coalition with non-Islamists, the party still pushes the Islamist agenda, and sharia is gaining ground. Two men have even been sent to prison for posting cartoon images of the prophet Muhammad on Facebook.

In interviewing actual moderates who advocate secular government, Michael Totten hears the repeated complaint that they have no support from the United States: "The Americans are with the Islamists. They support Ennahda in Tunisia and the Wahhabists in Saudi Arabia. I've heard this complaint from every single secular person I've interviewed in this country without exception, from academics and democratic activists to journalists and teachers.

"They seem to be unanimously shocked and dismayed and appalled. The subject comes up again and again in conversation even when I ask about other things. It's impossible to spend any time here whatsoever without hearing about it" ("US Criticized by Tunisian Secularists for Backing Islamists," World Affairs, March 21, 2012, emphasis in original). This reflects a disturbing realignment in U.S. foreign policy. When Lebanese-born Middle East expert Walid Phares was asked in a recent interview to expand on his statement that "everyone in Washington knows Obama supports the Muslim Brotherhood," he offered this stunning response:

"It is time to understand the policies of the Obama administration, the ones that are public and those that are obvious. If you compare the various Obama administration policies regarding the Middle East uprisings, you'd clearly see that the positioning of Washington regarding these demonstrations and protests is proportional to the outcome of these revolts.

"When the rising masses are targeting Islamist regimes, the Obama position abandons the uprising. When the revolt will end up with an Islamist takeover, the US position swiftly sides with the revolt. These are not theories, these are measurable realities.

"In June 2009, when millions of Iranians, mostly young (and female) were demonstrating against the Ayatollahs, President Obama stated the US 'wouldn't meddle.' But when the demonstrations in Egypt exploded, the Obama position evolved in two stages. As long as it was the youth and seculars on the streets, Washington stayed in the middle. But when the Muslim Brotherhood entered Tahrir Square en force, President Obama meddled 'strongly by asking Mubarak to step down.'

"[The] same scenarios occurred in Tunisia and in Libya and seem to be repeating itself in Syria. Observers and commentators in the region, particularly in Egypt, aren't shy about this description. They clearly state and provide evidence for an alignment of the Obama administration with the Muslim Brotherhood. US lawmakers for the past few years have been warning that the administration is favoring the Brotherhood fronts in Washington and seeking their influence in national security and foreign policy.

"Well, since the Arab Spring and particularly this year 2012 in Egypt, this alignment has never been clearer. Ironically, the Obama administration denies siding with the Brotherhood because the American public wouldn't digest such an un-American positioning. It would be the equivalent of an American partnership in the 1930s with the national socialists [German Nazis] or the Italian fascists.

"Today, in the Arab media there are hundreds of articles, statements and panels openly exposing and criticizing the Obama administration support to the Islamists in general and the Brotherhood in particular" (interview with Jennifer Hanin, "How Does Egypt Regain Its Once-Coveted Status? . . . Part I," Breitbart.com, Dec. 17, 2012).

McCarthy likewise mentions "the stinging rebukes of Obama's performance by authentic Egyptian democrats, demoralized over America's infatuation with the Islamists. This, too, mirrored the Islamist ascendancy in Turkey: the more unabashed Erdogan became in promoting sharia and the Brotherhood's jihad against Israel, the closer Washington drew to him" (p. xiv).

To illustrate how bizarre matters have gotten, in June 2012 the U.S. administration hosted a delegation of Egypt's new leaders in Washington that included new parliament member Hani Nour Eldin, a member of the Islamic Group—the terrorist organization headed by the imprisoned Blind Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, spiritual leader behind the first World Trade Center terror attacks in 1993.

"The White House and State Department stonewalled media inquiries about how a man well known to be a member of a formally designated terrorist organization could conceivably have been issued, first, a visa to enter the United States, and then, an invitation to consult with our government's security and foreign policy officials in Washington" (p. 174). The matter was brushed off as no big deal since Nour was, after all, democratically elected.

Then there are the recent claims of the Egyptian magazine Rose El-Youssef, translated into English on the website of the Investigative Project on Terrorism, that six American Muslim leaders working with the Obama administration are Muslim Brotherhood operatives who are helping to shape U.S. policies. Of course, while that may be, there's no proof that anyone needed to steer the administration to where it is today. Topping all this off is the fact that, despite the course Egypt is now set on, the U.S. government is continuing to send it, the most powerful Arab nation, billions of dollars in military aid and hardware (including 20 advanced F-16 fighter jets and 200 Abrams tanks)—equipment that could end up being used against Israel or even American forces. We need to open our eyes to the future that's being set up today.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; Israel; News/Current Events; Philosophy; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: israel; waronterror
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Helping midwife a new caliphate.
1 posted on 03/23/2013 8:10:09 PM PDT by robowombat
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To: robowombat

And that will gain the Kenyan how many virgins?


2 posted on 03/23/2013 8:14:38 PM PDT by lightman (If the Patriarchate of the East held a state like the Vatican I would apply for political asylum.)
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To: robowombat
Obama meets with Omar Abdel-Rahman (the Blind Sheik for those in Rio Vista) prior to release.

Obama: " OK Abdel-Rahman, I got your one way to Cairo on e-bay"

Omar: "you may call me Omar"

Obama: "Thanks Omar...and I got you a disguise as those pesky FReepers have an eye out for you"

Omar: "Let me consult with you later on that"

Obama: "I got it covered, what with the FEMA camps and a billion rounds of ammo."

Omar: "Keep up the good work my brother from another mother"

Obama: "And how was the American culture field trip to a noodling competition ?

Omar: ..."I caught an alligator."

3 posted on 03/23/2013 8:16:43 PM PDT by spokeshave (The only people better off today than 4 years ago are the Prisoners at Guantanamo.)
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To: robowombat

Only if you believe Dear Leader is a pro-American Christian.


4 posted on 03/23/2013 8:20:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (I'll raise $2million for Sarah Palin's presidential run. What'll you do?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Four lies in one sentence. Not bad...


5 posted on 03/23/2013 8:28:30 PM PDT by null and void (If the government is so worried about civil disturbance, why are they working so hard to disturb us?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
A Short Course on Shariah & the Muslim Brotherhood

1. What Is Shariah?

2. How Does Shariah Define Jihad?

3. ‘Civilization Jihad’ – the Muslim Brotherhood’s Potent Weapon

4. True Lies – the Paradox of Debating Shariah

5. Taqiyya – A Concept of Deceit that Security Professionals Must Know

6. Slander – How it is Used and Abused Under Shariah

7. How Shariah ‘Blasphemy’ Laws are Being Imposed On Us

8. What is the Muslim Brotherhood and How Does it Operate?

9. Genesis of the Muslim Brotherhood

10. Movement of the Muslim Brotherhood into the West

11. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Westward Infiltration

12. The Muslim Brotherhood in America

13. The Holy Land Trial: On the Trail of the Muslim Brotherhood

14. The Muslim Brotherhood’s ‘Strategic Plan’

15. Penetration of the US Government: A Case Study

16. Mapping the Muslim Brotherhood in America

17. Who’s Who in the American Muslim Brotherhood

6 posted on 03/23/2013 8:28:45 PM PDT by B4Ranch (When democracy turns to tyranny, we still get to vote. We just won't use voting boxes to do it.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Despots with unquenchable thirsts for power identify with like minded despots.
7 posted on 03/23/2013 8:29:28 PM PDT by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)
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To: null and void

“Puzzling U.S. Support for Islamists Over Moderates”

given all the money we arte giving to our enemies (egypt and palis) that should read
PUZZLING US SUPPORT OF ISLAMISTS OVER AMERICANS.


8 posted on 03/23/2013 8:50:48 PM PDT by bravo whiskey (We should not fear our government. Our government shoud fear us.)
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To: bravo whiskey

“Puzzling U.S. Support for Islamists Over Moderates”

given all the money we arte giving to our enemies (egypt and palis) that should read
PUZZLING US SUPPORT OF ISLAMISTS OVER AMERICANS.


I think it will be too late when the useful idiots/sheep finally wake up to obama and his treachery. But they probably will never understand what hits them.


9 posted on 03/23/2013 9:06:31 PM PDT by laplata
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To: spokeshave; Ezekiel
Haha.

Bleah! Why anyone would be puzzled is beyond me. This is just business as usual for this crew, where's the surprise?

10 posted on 03/23/2013 9:40:15 PM PDT by cyn (Benghazi)
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To: B4Ranch

Thanks for links.


11 posted on 03/23/2013 9:42:14 PM PDT by cyn (Benghazi)
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To: robowombat
What's a “moderate” Muslim? Muslims openly kill and maim anyone, including any Muslim who openly disagrees. Ergo, no moderates, just unwilling tacit supporters. Islam is a 7th century death cult.
12 posted on 03/23/2013 9:50:52 PM PDT by MasterGunner01
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To: B4Ranch; neverdem; no-to-illegals; FARS; All

Knowing who to support and when is a major problem in the “Arab Spring” upsets. Also, Iran is supporting one side and the Saudis and Qataris another. Here is a conservative article questioning Obama’s position 6 months ago, but supporting his position now.

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/03/02/dont-give-weaponry-to-the-syrian-rebels/


13 posted on 03/23/2013 10:17:50 PM PDT by gleeaikin
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To: robowombat

Commies and Muzzies have so much in common:

hatred for all life and the will to dominate it


14 posted on 03/23/2013 11:10:53 PM PDT by Wanderer99
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To: robowombat

“Moderate’’ Muslims? “Moderate’’. As in ‘’moderation’’. Well if the bloody religion were peaceful why the need for ‘’moderation’’? Wouldn’t that make the argument that Islam isn’t ‘’peaceful’’?


15 posted on 03/24/2013 1:57:31 AM PDT by jmacusa (Political correctness is cultural Marxism. I'm not a Marxist.)
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To: gleeaikin

My problem with the entire ‘spring’ as it was called was our involvement gleeaikin. My bottom line is this ... we became involved, we are involved, we own what happens. I believe we should have stayed clear. mohammads are a rabid bunch ... we will be seen as the enemy by the mohammads no matter what we do. If we had stayed clear, we would have every reason to annihilate these mohammads when they attacked us again. Right now, because our leaders became involved and picked winners and losers, I just don’t think we hold the upper hand in the eyes of the world. No doubt our leaders have made the world more dangerous by involving our nation. mohammads are vile creatures. There is no good side. Should have stayed clear (imho).


16 posted on 03/24/2013 4:40:00 AM PDT by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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Let me clarify .. should have stayed clear after making Mecca glow in the dark, sat back, waited and when they came and they would have ... Wait ... Wait ... Wait .... FIRE!


17 posted on 03/24/2013 5:02:47 AM PDT by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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To: laplata

The difference between an Islamist and a moderate...the Islamist will gleefully cut off your head with a dull knife; the moderate will avert his eyes and pretend he doen’t see it.


18 posted on 03/24/2013 8:28:33 AM PDT by dogcaller
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To: dogcaller

The difference between an Islamist and a moderate...the Islamist will gleefully cut off your head with a dull knife; the moderate will avert his eyes and pretend he doen’t see it.


And the gays and progressives will be the first to get it either way.


19 posted on 03/24/2013 11:24:52 AM PDT by laplata
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To: lightman

Do you think Allah has male virgins for Bath House Barry to torment?

Obama, Hillary, et.al. have purposefully and systematically established the Islamic region of globalism’s plan. Only problem is, there is a Jewish nation in the Muslem Utopia which means there can be no “peace and security” in the Islamic region.

Americans must catch up to the reality that when a Marxist says “democracy” they don’t mean “freedom.” Limo liberals consider dictators like Saddam democratically elected. When they say “peace” they mean total police state, social and economic control for the rulers of each region on the globe.

The protestors in Egypt and the supporters in America and Europe did not realize is that democracy with no individual or “human” rights is the guarenteed death of diversity’s individualism and freedom. It is iron fist rule for the most intolerant, blood thirsty, meanest and most corrupt in the nation and global region. That would be the Muslim Brotherhood in the Islamic region. It will be the Marxists in the West.


20 posted on 03/24/2013 1:52:11 PM PDT by SaraJohnson
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