The greatest mistake Muslim Brotherhood made was believing that their success in the immediate aftermath of the Arab Spring was because of their own endeavours as a group, rather than their exclusive association with the banner of Islam which majority of Arabs naturally favour

They believed that their electoral successes were votes of confidence in them as a party or bloc, rather than an expression of religiosity among an electorate who, now liberated from state repression, chose to reject parties openly advocating for constraining Islamic influences.

Muslim Brotherhood never fully grasped this reality, and this proved their undoing. Voters were left reeling by their compromises, dubious coalitions, taking of 'compensation' for years of 'struggle', and openly objecting/compromising on Islamic clauses in state constitutions.

This meant that when the deep state found breathing space, Brotherhood found they no longer had the same enthusiastic following that had propelled them to power. In the eyes of the electorate which still believed in banner of Islam, Brotherhood were no longer the standard bearers

Where Brotherhood have survived such as in #Tunisia, the mood and rhetoric have changed. Where in 2011 it was about a revival and renaissance, it is now about survival and preventing a return to the dark days. Where MB once united on hope, they now unite on a common fear.

Analysis today focuses on socio-economic dynamics as drivers of 'Arab Winter'. However, despite MB failures, no secular party has been able to capitalise. This is because only a party associated with 'Islamic' banner can achieve any success resembling the Brotherhood's in 2011-12