Jordan's Brotherhood: A Convenient Scapegoat for Shifting Alliances
📰 THE STORY: The New Arab reports on the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood's struggle for legal and political survival amidst government pressure, including court cases and restrictions on their activities, highlighting their historic role as a significant opposition force. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Muslim Brotherhood, particularly in the early decades, often served as a
counterweight to pan-Arab nationalist movements (like Nasserism), which were viewed with suspicion by Western powers. The US and UK tacitly, and sometimes actively, supported or tolerated the Brotherhood in various nations, including Egypt, as a bulwark against socialist or Soviet-aligned ideologies. The current crackdown in Jordan, while framed as an internal legal matter, coincides with Jordan's
increasing alignment with Western and Israeli interests, especially concerning regional stability and the Gaza genocide, where popular dissent is carefully managed. Double Standard: Western media often demonizes Islamist groups when they challenge pro-Western authoritarian regimes (e.g., Egypt's Sisi crushing the Brotherhood after a coup). However, similar groups or proxies are quietly tolerated
or even supported when they align with Western objectives (e.g., certain 'moderate rebels' in Syria, some of whom later merged with al-Qaeda affiliates, receiving Western backing). The narrative shifts based on geopolitical utility, not consistent democratic principles. Follow the Money: Jordan receives significant financial aid from the United States, averaging over $1 billion annually, with a