6 - The Brotherhood Re-Enters the Political Fray

Summary

This chapter examines the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood’s political activity during the 2011 uprising, showing that it was the best placed group on the eve of the uprising, and analysing its role as a member of the Syrian opposition in-exile, where it has been most successful at projecting its influence. It argues that while the group was an enthusiastic participant in the events, its historical political baggage prevented it from becoming a candidate for significant power in any post-Assad Syria. This saw it make opportunistic and short-term decisions to amplify power at the expense of its long-term relationships with the broader opposition. Although this closely reflected the ineffective strategies it employed during the 2000s, it highlighted that the Brotherhood lacked the political acumen required to rebuild its legitimacy.