One of the closest associates of the U.S. president, former governor Rod Blagojevich, told RTRS’s Morning Program that the branches of the “Muslim Brotherhood” in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon should have been designated as terrorist organizations long ago.
“What the State Department has done is a significant and necessary step in the fight against terrorism, especially the form of terrorism present, for example, in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan—and I would add Bosnia as well. It is no coincidence that President Trump is doing this. During the campaign, he promised he would. What is particularly interesting is that this is not only part of the effort to defeat terrorists and protect citizens; it is also part of the Trump administration’s plan to protect Christian countries that are under threat from radical Islam and terrorism,” Blagojevich said.
He believes that “all those of the Orthodox Christian faith, who belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church, can view this act as a step—a significant step—toward a better opportunity to address what is happening here in Republika Srpska and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
“We can expect similar measures against other branches of the ‘Muslim Brotherhood.’ I think this is only the first step, and I believe much more will follow. I sincerely believe that right here, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, you will see similar developments. Links will be uncovered and investigations will be launched into the influence of the ‘Muslim Brotherhood,’ for example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is strong evidence indicating that they have been active here for a very, very long time,” Blagojevich said.
He added that he has said this before and will say it again: “President Trump is truly determined to protect Christian countries—not only our own, but others around the world, including countries here in the Balkans.”
When the United States launches an investigation into Bosnia and Herzegovina, it will find a wealth of evidence
Asked about alleged links between the SDA and Alija and Bakir Izetbegović and branches of the “Muslim Brotherhood,” Blagojevich said that “it is quite certain this is only the beginning—what we say in the United States is, ‘we will hear the other shoe drop.’”
“If I were in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and if I were part of that political party that has operated the way it has, I would not be surprised at all to hear that they are now trying to destroy evidence and distance themselves from what may well have been certain activities of the ‘Muslim Brotherhood.’ We do not have concrete proof to say this is definitively the case, but as a former lawyer and former prosecutor, I would say there is serious cause for suspicion. Not only because Izetbegović sent congratulations to one of the leaders of the ‘Muslim Brotherhood,’ but also because when you look back at the wars of the 1990s—the role of the mujahideen and the role of al-Qaeda, which was open and notorious—everyone knew about it. It would be highly unusual if those links had not continued into the 21st century,” Blagojevich told RTRS.
He believes that when the United States launches an investigation into Bosnia and Herzegovina, it will find substantial evidence pointing to cooperation with terrorist groups of that type.
Recalling the media context during the 1990s war, when Serb leadership repeatedly stated that Bosniak forces were linked to Hamas and Iranian intelligence services but no one wanted to listen, Blagojevich said the situation has now changed.
“Now they are listening. There is no doubt that the Iranian government has influence within the power structures of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and there is no doubt that the U.S. government knows that this influence exists. What was lacking in the United States was the determination of the president and his administration to act. Trump is determined to act. That is why he has done what he has done. Biden and Obama were not determined. They were the ones who said that nine billion dollars were paid to Iran. Trump’s foreign policy—when it comes to Iran, Islamic terrorism, and global terrorism in general—is completely opposite to the policies pursued by Biden and Obama. That is why the fact that nothing has been done in Bosnia and Herzegovina so far tells me it is very likely that something will be done in the near future,” Blagojevich said.
On immigrant visas
Blagojevich noted that Trump’s decision to suspend the issuance of immigrant visas for 75 countries—including Afghanistan, Algeria, Syria, and others, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina—may be linked precisely to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strong ties with Iran and Iranian influence.
“Iranian influence is connected to Hamas and Hezbollah, to the ‘Muslim Brotherhood,’ and is present, for example, in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan—and certainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. So no—this is all part of much broader U.S. efforts to protect our country, protect our citizens, and confront and wage war against terrorists who terrorize the world and are very active not only in the Middle East, but also here, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Balkans,” Blagojevich said.
He added that this is also very important given Trump’s determination to find common ground and cooperate in advancing the shared interests of the Christian world, as he deeply believes in Judeo-Christian values and the Judeo-Christian tradition.
“I must say this from a personal perspective—he greatly respects and values the Serb people for their perseverance in fighting for their beliefs,” Blagojevich said.
On returning to the United States and time spent in Srpska during the holidays
Blagojevich said he feels a touch of nostalgia, because there is no place like home and his family is there.
“But on the other hand, I somehow do not want to return just yet. I spent a wonderful nearly two weeks here. Above all, on a personal level, having the opportunity to attend the Christmas Eve liturgy, to be in a Serb church on Christmas Day, to welcome the New Year here—and above all, when it comes to what truly matters to the Serb people here in Srpska, in Serbia, in Montenegro, in the United States, and in the diaspora—to fight for the preservation and protection of the rights of the Serb people,” Blagojevich said.
He emphasized that “Milorad Dodik and Republika Srpska are on the front line of that fight—to protect the Serb Orthodox Christian faith and Serb Orthodox interests, as well as the interests of the Serb people.”
“That is why it was a great honor for me to be here on January 9, to celebrate Republika Srpska Day—a day that for you is what July 4 is for the United States, and for me, as the son of a Serb immigrant, something truly special,” Blagojevich concluded.
Source: RTRS
