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Pasta & Pizza
The Muslim Brotherhood is a network of transnational radical imperialist organizations. It is the umbrella under which the specific flavor of radical Islam that inspired Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and numerous other similar terrorist groups emerges. Bahrain, Egypt (where the group was founded), Russia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have already designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
So, what’s the rub? Why was there controversy from traditionally hawkish American opinion makers and shapers surrounding this order? Because President Trump named Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon for special focus in this context, but did NOT specifically name Turkey and Qatar. A close reading of the executive order however does not exclude the possibility of designations of organizations in Turkey, Qatar, or anywhere else for that matter.
Given that Turkey and Qatar are the Muslim Brotherhood’s primary state supporters, Michael Rubin writing in the Washington Examiner was correct in observing, “This makes about as much sense as banning Italian food without including pasta or pizza.” In the end, the executive order will not carve out special permission for Qatar and Turkey to keep supporting terrorism, but the message here is clear: Qatar’s influence campaign is working.
But just as easily as an Executive Order can be signed, so too can an Executive Order be rescinded. That is why we whole heartedly welcome the House Foreign Affairs Committee planned markup on Wednesday morning of the bipartisan and CUFI endorsed Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025 (S. 2293/H.R. 4397).
Ensuring that this legislation, led by Senator Cruz (R-TX) and Reps Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Moskowitz (D-FL), is signed into law is critical to ensuring that these actions cannot simply be written off by a future administration.
Buying America
Doha has spent years and billions of dollars buying influence in the United States. For example, in 2023 the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) invested more than $4 billion in Monumental Sports and Entertainment which owns, among other things, Capitol One Arena in Washington. The following year, Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner in 2021, received a $1.5 billion “cash injection” from Doha. We could go on and on; there are numerous similar acquisitions and investments – both large and small.
And these investments are not just limited to traditional businesses. Non-profits can also receive the Qatari treatment. In fact, it is estimated that Qatar has spent well over $6 billion in recent decades seeking to influence American higher education. And now, they’ve got their sights set on Hollywood.
Imagine, if you will, the Al-Jazeera-ization of American films and television. Would the 9/11 hijackers be terrorists or freedom fighters? How will Jews/Christians/women, be portrayed?
From the American military presence in Qatar to American comedian Kevin Hart waving the checkered flag at the most recent Doha Grand Prix, we cannot continue to allow our country to be sold off in pieces to the Muslim Brotherhood’s preeminent ally.
Gig ‘em!
More than two decades ago, Texas A&M University opened a branch in Qatar. In 2024, the Texas Board of Regents voted to wind down the partnership and close the doors to that campus in 2028.
The Board of Regents made this decision despite the flashy facilities at Doha’s “education city” and the piles of cash the oil rich monarchy throws at American universities. Officially the Texas University system cited “heightened instability in the Middle East,” and a lack of need for such a facility in the future, when explaining the decision.
We respect the University system’s accurate and rather diplomatic comments; recognizing however, that we need not maintain the same. In other words, allow us to say out loud what everyone else does not feel is their place: In the wake of the 10/7 massacre that Qatar helped fund, Texas A&M couldn’t get away from Doha’s terrorist supporting monarchy fast enough – and other universities are going to follow suit.
Perhaps because they gave the President a $400 million plane, Doha thinks they are immune from a robust American reaction to their continued support for Hamas. If that’s the case, it may be worth recalling that Qatar also thought they were immune from a direct Israeli attack. They were/are wrong on both counts.
Texas A&M is the first, not the only. Universities, companies, and non-profit organizations that have done business with Qatar are coming to recognize that deals with Doha involve the exchange of blood-soaked petrodollars, and that just isn’t worth the cost to one’s reputation or soul.
Sincerely,
The CUFI Action Fund Team |
