QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Analysts believe that U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of his intention to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” is not a surprising development. Rather, it comes within a broader American approach to reshaping the contours of the Middle East.
They note that any such step would directly affect the group’s presence in Syria and may contribute to limiting its movements and activities there.
In October 2025, the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria released a political document titled “Coexistence in Syria,” in which it presented its vision for the future Syrian state, emphasizing “the principles of democracy, political pluralism, peaceful transfer of power, and freedom of belief,” while ignoring an unofficial call from Damascus for the group to dissolve itself.
Two months earlier, Ahmad Muwaffaq Zaidan, media adviser to the Syrian president, had published an article calling on the Muslim Brotherhood to voluntarily dissolve itself, noting that he was expressing his personal opinion.
Engineering the region
Munir Adib, a researcher specializing in extremist movements and international terrorism, told North Press that U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio had previously stated in August that the White House was studying this approach, adding at the time that the matter could take a long period. A White House spokesperson also made similar statements, indicating a clear American intention to consider this classification.
He believes that after the events of Oct. 7, 2023, a new map of the Middle East is emerging, not only geographically, but in terms of political and influential actors, including Sunni and Shiite radical Islamist organizations such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, the Muslim Brotherhood, and others.
He explains, “Washington is now working on engineering the Arab region in a way that ensures its own security and the security of the Middle East and the world.”
Restrictions in Syria
Adib expects Washington to proceed with listing the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, which would significantly impact the group’s capability, effectiveness, and presence—especially in the Middle East, its traditional base.
He continues, “The anticipated U.S. decision may affect the Brotherhood’s presence in Syria, but this effect will be positive, as Washington seeks to regulate and reshape radical organizations that influence its security and the security of its allies.”
He clarifies, “The United States is not targeting all Islamic organizations but specifically the Muslim Brotherhood. This does not include other groups connected to or organizationally separate from it, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).”
Ideological source of violence
Albert Farhat, a specialist in terrorism studies, says that Trump’s intention to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” aims to increase international pressure on the movement and align U.S. policy with several allied countries that have already designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist group, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and Russia.
Farhat, who resides in Paris, told North Press that the main motivation behind the decision is the accusation that the Brotherhood serves as an ideological source and potential supporter of violent and extremist groups in several regions.
Supporters of the move view it as a tool to counter radical Islamist extremism and curb the Brotherhood’s political and financial influence.
The decision is also intended to strengthen counterterrorism policies by criminalizing dealings with the group inside the United States and by bolstering relations with allied countries that combat the Brotherhood. It would also limit the group’s ability to fundraise, mobilize, and carry out advocacy activities by designating its affiliates and associated figures, Farhat said.
Complicated history in Syria
Farhat adds that the U.S. step would have major implications for the Syrian arena due to the Brotherhood’s complex history there.
He notes that the Muslim Brotherhood has played a key role in Syrian opposition movements for decades, serving as an active component of the Syrian National Council and later the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.
Any U.S. decision to classify the group as a terrorist organization would weaken its remaining influence and cut economic and legal support for those associated with it, especially individuals residing in the U.S. or receiving support from it.
The terrorism specialist states, “The decision could deepen divisions among Syrian factions, as these groups would seek to distance themselves from any ties to the Brotherhood for fear of sanctions or diplomatic pressure.”
Internationally, the decision would cause Syrian or Arab actors cooperating with the Brotherhood to approach political negotiations or settlement processes with caution and distrust, thereby weakening the group’s role in any future political arrangements, according to Farhat.