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Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

The Muslim Brotherhood's Role in Syria

The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood had been in exile for a long time, so it had to work very hard to gain a measure of influence on the Syrian uprisings.

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By Raphaël Lefèvre
Published on Feb 10, 2015

Source: Project on Middle East Political Science

Speaking with George Washington University’s Marc Lynch, director of the Project on Middle East Political Science, Carnegie’s Raphaël Lefèvre discussed the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, the Syrian civil war, and Lebanon. When asked about the role the Muslim Brotherhood played in the Syrian uprising, Lefèvre explained that the group had been in exile for a long time, so it had to work very hard to gain a measure of influence on the Syrian uprisings.

It did so through various different ways, continued Lefèvre: “At first, it took a leading role in the Syrian opposition—first the Syrian National Council and then the National Coalition. It tried to do some work on-the-ground inside Syria in rebel-held areas, doing some humanitarian work. It started a series of militias as well, trying to gain influence on the Syrian rebel scene, but that was, unfortunately for them, very unsuccessful because at that point in time...the extremists in Syria were on the rise and posed a serious challenge to the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.”

This interview was originally published by the Project on Middle East Political Science (POMEPS).

About the Author

Raphaël Lefèvre

Former Nonresident Scholar, Middle East Center

Raphaël Lefèvre was a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his research focuses on Sunni Islamist movements in Lebanon.

    Recent Work

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    Man of the Moment?

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Raphaël Lefèvre
Former Nonresident Scholar, Middle East Center
Raphaël Lefèvre
Political ReformSecurityLevantLebanonSyriaMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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