This article was adapted from a memo prepared for the Project on Middle East Political Science and Ca’ Foscari University “Visions of Gulf Security” workshop on March 9, 2014 in Venice, Italy.
On March 7, Saudi Arabia named the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, alongside more obvious suspects such as major jihadist groups fighting in Syria. This designation represented a major escalation by Riyadh against the transnational Islamist movement. It also marked a significant departure from its past official stance. In contrast to the fiercely anti-Islamist United Arab Emirates (UAE), where officials have been outspoken in their opposition to the Brotherhood since 2011, the Saudi government has generally avoided explicit attacks on the Brothers. Why the change? Reported by Washington Post 12 hours ago.
On March 7, Saudi Arabia named the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, alongside more obvious suspects such as major jihadist groups fighting in Syria. This designation represented a major escalation by Riyadh against the transnational Islamist movement. It also marked a significant departure from its past official stance. In contrast to the fiercely anti-Islamist United Arab Emirates (UAE), where officials have been outspoken in their opposition to the Brotherhood since 2011, the Saudi government has generally avoided explicit attacks on the Brothers. Why the change? Reported by Washington Post 12 hours ago.