Brotherhood Not Extremist, Intel Leaders Say
The Muslim Brotherhood is more of an organization with extremist members than an extremist organization, America’s top two intelligence officials told a Senate committee Wednesday.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper emphasized the heterogeneous nature of the Brotherhood, saying its ideology and approach varies from country to country and describing a generational gap between old-line conservatives and younger members more willing to participate in secular political systems.
“This is not a monolithic organization,” CIA Director Leon Panetta told the Senate Intelligence Committee. It has lawyers and professionals among its ranks, so while “it is clear that within the Muslim Brotherhood there are extremist elements,” it’s difficult to label the organization as a whole.
Minutes earlier, Clapper acknowledged that the Brotherhood “probably is supportive” of weapons smuggling to Hamas terrorists in Gaza. He could not say what the Muslim Brotherhood would do regarding Egypt’s 32-year-old peace treaty with Israel.
Clapper used part of his opening remarks to clarify comments he made about the Brotherhood before a House committee hearing last week. In response to a question at that hearing, he called the Brotherhood “a very heterogeneous group, largely secular, which has eschewed violence.”
And now… the rest of the story. …..
Harold
