Muslim Brotherhood bill in Congress, Islamic finance, Russian plane crash, China-Taiwan summit, Iran-Russia strategy in Syria…

Congress introduces bill to label Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization

After American allies Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, the question remains why the United States has not done so.  Yesterday, Senator Ted Cruz (R- TX) and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R- FL) introduced legislation that would compel the State Dept. to report to Congress on the feasibility of designating the MB as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, which has been done for the Brotherhood’s affiliate Hamas.

The bill cites specific cases of the Brotherhood’s illegal activities in the US, including the Holy Land Foundation trial, which is the largest terrorism finance case tried in the US. The bill also references the Soliman Biheiri case, who operated the Islamic investment firm Baitul Mal in New Jersey which, “According to Federal prosecutors, the shareholders of Baitul Mal included al-Qaeda financier Yassin al-Qadi and top Hamas leader Mousa abu Marzook, both of whom are specially designated global terrorists.” The bill also cites violent attacks carried out by the Brotherhood in Egypt, including the targeting of Coptic Christians.

The Brotherhood’s history of supporting terrorism is well-documented.  Its various projects in the United States include front groups, political advocacy, judicial doctrine, and infiltration at the highest levels of government.  A previous bill that sought the FTO designation failed last year.

Islamic financing method growing in Africa

The African continent, long under served by traditional western banking due in part to weak state governance, is proving fertile ground for the expansion of the Islamic finance.  Attractive in part due to its no-interest clause, the shariah-compliant finance mechanism is promoted as an alternative suitable for countries and regions that are dominated by cash transactions and wary of traditional banks following the 2008 financial crisis. While large Islamic banks based in Dubai and other locales throughout the Muslim world have been established for decades, the potential for illegal activity is high with Islamic finance, as had been noted in the past.  Furthermore, the predominance of cash in under-served regions of Africa is a perfect conduit for the hawala system, which has also been exploited by terrorist organizations.

Russian plane crash mystery offers new clues

The investigation to determine the cause of the Metrojet crash in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula continues, with the ‘black box’ and voice data recorders now being analyzed.  Competing theories have emerged, ranging from the Islamic State’s Wilayat Sinai claiming responsibility via a bomb to mechanical failure to pilot error to an engine malfunction. Metrojet was quick to say it was caused by external factors, perhaps in a bid to undermine incompetence and lax maintenance charges by some victims’ families.

US military officials who have analyzed satellite imagery now say there is a flash to be seen moments before the mid-air explosion, which they say may have been caused by a fuel tank fire or bomb.  After their claim of responsibility was dismissed as ‘laughable’ by aviation experts, Wilayat Sinai continues to taunt investigators, insisting that they downed the plane and challenging them to prove otherwise.

China and Taiwan holding summit; first meeting between two leaders

China and Taiwan will be holding the first summit since the Chinese Civil War. President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan and China’s Xi Jinping will be discussing relations over the Taiwan Straits, in which China claims sovereignty and views the island as a “breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland.” The meeting, however, has been condemned by Taiwan’s opposition, the Democratic Progressive Party.

Ying-jeou, who has made improving relations with China one of his priorities as president, will be stepping down in January. It is predicted that the pro-China Kuomintang will likely lose to the DPP, which promotes Taiwan declaring independence.

It is likely that this conflict will result in worsening relations between the United States and China, as the US is committed to Taiwan’s defense.

Conflict of interest between Russian and Iran over Assad, according to head of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The Foreign Ministry in Moscow has suggested that there is a discrepancy between Iran and Russia, which are both allies of Syria, regarding Assad’s political future. According to IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari: “Tehran may be more committed to him than Moscow was.” A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman has essentially confirmed this statement, claiming that Assad’s position “is not a red-line issue” for Russia, and “we are not saying that Assad should leave or stay.”

One of the main reasons why Iran remains allied with Syria is because Syria offers a direct route for Iran to reach the territory of its key ally, Hezbollah. In turn, Russia appears to be less invested in Syria, seemingly having a larger end game of negotiating with the West.

Although it may appear to be a harmful diplomatic divergence, it is unlikely to affect military strategy, as both countries have a common interest: preserving the Syrian government. Ultimately, it is the Iranian forces on the ground along with Hezbollah, the Syrian army, pro-Assad militias, and Russia’s air support that is helping to maintain Assad in power.

Other stories we’re following:

Russia and US fighter jets communicating over Syria

Syrian army takes Aleppo road supply line from IS

Kurdish Peshmerga forces low on supplies for winter fighting

4 police officers killed in bombing claimed by Wilayat Sinai

Erdogan: parliament should rush to amend constitution, grant more powers to president

Iran celebrates 36^th anniversary of embassy takeover, protesters denounce thaw in relations

Ugandan opposition nominates candidate for President

Burundi president Nkurunziza offers amnesty to rebels

Dozens killed as Russian-built cargo plane crashes in South Sudan

Maldives president declares state of emergency; planned anti-government rally

ASEAN summit ends in disagreement over South China Sea