The Masks Drop: U.S. Puts Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood in the Terrorism Crosshairs

Trump signs — and somewhere between Beirut, Amman, and Cairo, the camouflage factory goes out of business.

By Ahmed Fathi

New York, NY: In what can only be described as a long-overdue moment of geopolitical clarity, the United States has finally decided to stop pretending it cannot smell the smoke coming from the Muslim Brotherhood’s century-old ideological bonfire. On November 24, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order directing U.S. agencies to begin the process of designating specific Brotherhood branches in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as terrorist organizations.

Yes, you read that correctly. After decades of polite diplomatic fiction, the U.S. government has suddenly discovered that the Brotherhood’s “charitable networks” and “reformist platforms” are, in fact, not humanitarian outreach programs—but operational umbrellas that have kept extremist branches comfortably active across the region.

Better late than never, as the saying goes.

The Executive Order: A “Surprising Discovery” of the Obvious

The order, delivered with straight-face seriousness from the White House, directs the State and Treasury Departments to decide within 30 days whether these Brotherhood chapters merit designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Spoiler: of course they do.

The document cites the Lebanese branch’s military wing joining Hamas and Hezbollah in launching rockets at Israel after October 7, 2023; the Egyptian branch’s calls for attacks on U.S. partners; and Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood support to Hamas.

One might ask: when exactly did this become new information? Washington’s answer: "Just now. Somehow."

America’s Sudden Sense of Smell

For years, the Brotherhood perfected the art of appearing completely harmless—something between a Rotary Club chapter and a TEDx franchise—while maintaining political tentacles, armed offshoots, and a global network of “affiliates” that somehow always seemed to pop up near conflict zones.

The U.S., meanwhile, maintained an impressive poker face. Until today.

By specifically naming the branches in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, the administration signals a shift from academic debate to active scrutiny. Translation: the fog machine is off, the curtains are open, and the spotlight is on.

2026: The Year Europe Finally Stops Pretending?

While America has finally broken the illusion, Europe is still pacing the hallway outside the theater, debating whether it should buy a ticket. But insiders suggest that 2026 may be the year several European governments quietly join the “let’s-get-real” club.

After years of romanticizing the Brotherhood as “civil activists with colorful slogans,” European agencies have begun noticing that the group’s “community centers” often double as ideological laundromats.

Better late than never—again.

Qatar and Turkey: The Coming Attraction

Of course, no discussion of the Brotherhood’s global ecosystem would be complete without mentioning the two VIP sponsors of the franchise: Qatar and Turkey.

For years, both countries played host to Brotherhood leaders, exiles, strategists, and public-relations warriors. They offered:

• Funding

• Refuge

• Media platforms

• Political legitimacy

• And in some cases, an entire city block’s worth of office space

Now, with Washington flipping on the floodlights, these two capitals may soon discover that being the Brotherhood’s Airbnb and ATM machine comes with consequences. Diplomatic scrutiny? Absolutely. Security review? Almost guaranteed. A very uncomfortable press conference? Practically imminent.

The Bottom Line: The Masks Are Falling

This Executive Order marks a decisive shift. The polite fiction surrounding the Muslim Brotherhood’s global branches is cracking. The United States is no longer pretending not to see what’s been in front of everyone for years: a sprawling network that wears many costumes but performs the same play.

And as the U.S. turns its attention to Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt’s Brotherhood chapters, other players—especially in Europe, Doha, and Ankara—may soon discover that the next act of this story is one they won’t be able to narrate on their own terms.

The show isn’t over. But for the Brotherhood, the final act has begun—and this time, the stage lights are blinding.