Abstract The paper provides a review of the relevant literature and identifies the conditions that allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to be successful in Egypt, the history of the organization and its founder, Hasan al Banna, and assesses whether the Muslim Brotherhood is in reality a terrorist organization. The paper discusses how the Muslim Brotherhood is foregoing terrorist activities in favor of working from within the legitimate political frameworks of Arab nations and this has allowed the group to acquire a significant amount of power. The paper concludes that only time will tell if the West possesses the wherewithal and resolve to withstand these assaults on its political, social and legal institutions.
Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
From the Paper "Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, many observers in the West were heard to lament the passing of the "good old days" of the Cold War when the enemy was clearly known and its geographic borders clearly delineated. By sharp contrast, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the threats against the United States from within and without are largely from non-state actors that can wreak havoc against America and its allies with apparently virtual impunity. One group that has received a growing amount of attention from policymakers and analysts in recent years is the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt which is suspected of sponsoring such terrorist activities."
