Ravi Mittal asked: Why does the US support Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt?

Rajeev Agarwal replies: I don't think the US supports the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. In fact, as per some analysts, the US, along with other major stakeholders in the region like Saudi Arabia, could be behind the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

The US did support the people’s revolution in Egypt in January 2011, but at that time Muslim Brotherhood was not a recognised or overt political entity. It was much later after the installation of the interim government under the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in Egypt that Muslim Brotherhood formed the Freedom and Justice Party. They later won the parliamentary and the presidential elections in Egypt.

However, contrary to the US expectations, President Morsi attempted to chart out an independent course for Egypt without being wholly dependent on the US. It attempted to forge better ties with Iran, supported the cause of Hamas in Gaza Strip and even put peace treaty with Israel on the edge.

The Muslim Brotherhood, meanwhile, was expanding its influence elsewhere in the region too, which couldn't have been to the liking of the US. In short, Muslim Brotherhood’s growing influence could have been one of the major contributory factors to its ouster in Egypt. Thus, the US cannot be seen to be supporting the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.