The Muslim Brotherhood - The Economist

The challenges faced by the Muslim Brotherhood are not confined to Egypt and islamist groups are now facing criticism in many countries.The United Arab Emirates, still an absolute monarchy, this week began trying 94 alleged Brothers on charges of conspiracy against the state. However the main challenges faced by the islamists now in power stem from the challenges they face on assuming power in government.

At the height of the Arab Spring the Brotherhood or Ikwan looked unstoppable and took power following revolutions by young protestorslooking for jobs,freedom and dignity but the elected Islamist parties were not able to meet their aspirations.In Egypt and Tunisia  the tumultous course of the revolution and violent  counter demonstrations by different factions have blighted the image of the countries concerned and damaged tourism and foreign investment.

Whilst the clashes are mainly between  extreme Islamists and Salafists the bottom line is that the economies are not working and jobs are not being created thus turning the young demonstrators against the Freedom and
Justice Party in Egypt and Ennhada in Tunisia.Libya whilst is not yet a battlefield between  Islamists and secular parties,  it faces similar unemployment problems  . Jordan where King Abdullah has stood against the Brotherhood it is the best organised political group in the country. It is thisorganisational ability which allowed the islamists to take power and still guarantees them  a better electoral position than less well organised secular parties. In Libya and Syria the situationis complicat6ed by a proliferation of weapons that threatens the whole region.

The Brotherhood or Ikwan received enthusiastic support from Qatar's Al Jazeera which has now seen its Arab audience in the region dramatically decline partly because of the emergence of new TV channels but also because Qatar isseen as using its financial muscle to buy up national  assets in the countries concerned. There have alsobenfears expressed that Qatar has supported extreme Salafist groups or even terrorists those these allegations remain uproven. It is seen as interfering in these countries' internal affairs. France's interior minister
recently criticised  the situation in Tunisia and was accused of interfering in the country's internal affairs. Frombeing the only game in town politically the islamist governments are causing increasing concern that they are unable to cope economically.

In addition, The Economist notes, internaldivisions within the Brotherhood are affecting both Egypt and Tunisia as different factions, moderate and extremist seek to exert more influence. The popularity of the governments has suffered . Egypt has  postponed its elections amidst increasing violence and the  new Ennhada led Tunisian government is much like the old one with the important exception that key ministries of interior and justice are now occupied by independents. It failedto attract new secular parties into government and still does not have a constitution  and an elections are planned for the end of the year. The Economist make the point that if the Algerian army had not prevented it the Islamic FIS party could have taken power, it is impossible now to assess what would have happened but the process of the liberation of islamist political partiesmight have started earlier.

John Kerry , America's new Secretary of State emphasised that Egypt needed to get back on track internationally and announced finacial support. He was immediately attacked by the securlarist parties as being too supportive of the Brotherhood at the expense of secular freedoms. This shows the devisiveness that afflicts the regions.The Economist concludes that in time the secular parties may become more cohesive and effective and then possibly win power. Western governments who support the Brotherhood now may risk allienating secular based governments in the future.