What does the UAE understand about Iran, Muslim Brotherhood, and extremism that much of the West still refuses to see?

In this episode of Misgav Mideast Horizons, host Asher Fredman is joined by Rauda Altenaiji, an Emirati political commentator, geopolitical analyst, author, and motorsport endurance racer, for a powerful conversation on the new Middle East, the Iranian regime, the Muslim Brotherhood, Abraham Accords 2.0, and the battle over narratives in the West.

Rauda explains why the UAE refuses to be blackmailed by Iran, why the Strait of Hormuz cannot be held hostage by the Islamic Republic, and how Emirati society responded with resilience and confidence during Iranian missile and drone attacks. She also discusses the UAE’s pride in its armed forces, the country’s national identity, and why Qatar may be reassessing its approach to extremism after the latest regional war. 

The conversation also turns to the deeper ideological struggle taking place across the Middle East and the West. Rauda warns that Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood, and other extremist movements do not only fight with rockets and militias – they fight through narrative warfare, media influence, issue framing, and the manipulation of Western freedoms. Drawing on her book Andalusion, she explains how Islamist movements use selective storytelling and psychological strategies to advance their agendas inside Western societies. 

Rauda also makes a striking argument: The Iranian regime and other extremists fear women because they understand the power of women to challenge authoritarianism, repression, and ideological control. From Iran’s protest movements to the regime’s propaganda, she explains why women remain at the center of the struggle over Iran’s future. 

Asher and Rauda also discuss Abraham Accords 2.0, the future of UAE-Israel ties, Sudan, Somaliland, the failure to confront extremist influence in universities, and why the UAE continues to pursue its national interests with confidence despite criticism.

For critical insights on Iran, the UAE, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Abraham Accords, Israel, Gulf security, and the changing Middle East, like, share, and subscribe to Misgav Mideast Horizons.

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