OPINION:
As Monday’s Washington Times editorial put it, “The Muslim Brotherhood is employing the ’united front’ strategy - most notably used by Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin … in order to gain entree into the halls of power.” (“Peddling Islamic extremism,” Comment & Analysis).
This insidious modus operandi has deceived many into believing that the Islamic organization has nothing but good intentions following the recent departure of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Ostensibly, the Obama administration has fallen for the sleight-of-hand - hook, line and sinker - in its insinuation that the Islamists are merely a “largely secular” organization and thus, there is “nothing to worry about,” according to Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. It’s nothing of the sort.
If the united front strategy was successful following the fall of Czar Nicholas II and the shah of Iran, is it inconceivable that the fall of Mr. Mubarak would not pave the way for the Muslim Brotherhood to seize power in Egypt?
Israel is not welcoming Egypt’s uprising with open arms, and for good reason. The Israelis witnessed the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran. Now it is facing the possible abrogation of its peace treaty with Egypt. While the White House is courting the opposition in Egypt, including the notorious Muslim Brotherhood, U.S.-Israel relations have never been worse in the six decades since Israel obtained its independence. That is hardly the way to treat America’s only true ally in the Middle East.
BRIAN STUCKEY
Denver
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