In this episode of Trending Echoes, Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Shehhi, Researcher and Deputy Head of the Research Sector at TRENDS Research & Advisory, hosts a deep and candid conversation with Imam Mohammed Tawhidi, internationally known as the Imam of Peace and a governing member of the Global Imams Council.

The episode explores how extremist organizations operate under religious cover, examining their ideological narratives, political strategies, and methods of influence. The discussion addresses recent moves in the United States to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, the exploitation of democratic freedoms, and the misuse of humanitarian and charitable platforms. It also highlights the growing role of social media and AI in radicalization and influence campaigns, and the broader implications for Western societies and the Muslim world.

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Episode Highlights

• The global debate around designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization

• Extremism as an organized network, not a religious school of thought

• How ideology inspired groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS

• Infiltration of Western institutions and democratic systems

• Weaponization of Islamophobia and political causes

• Misuse of charities and humanitarian fundraising

• Terror financing and transnational networks

• Social media and AI as tools of radicalization and influence

• Targeting youth, universities, and public discourse

• The long-term consequences of ignoring ideological extremism

Chapters

00:00 — Opening: Unmasking Extremism

01:00 — U.S. Designation of the Muslim Brotherhood

03:30 — The Muslim Brotherhood: Organization, Not Ideology

06:00 — From Sayyid Qutb to ISIS

08:30 — Infiltration of Western Institutions

10:30 — Weaponizing Islamophobia & Palestine

13:00 — Terror Financing & Charitable Fronts

18:00 — Exploiting Democracy & Minority Rights

23:00 — Social Media, AI & Youth Radicalization

31:00 — The Long-Term Consequences of Ignoring Extremism

In this special episode of Trending Echoes, we sit down with Alexis Bonnell, the Chief AI Adoption & Acceleration Officer and Lead for U.S. National Lab Partnerships at OpenAI. Together, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of government, public services, diplomacy, education, and everyday life.

Through a candid and insightful conversation, Alexis discusses:

• What “AI for Humanity” truly means in a government context

• How governments can use AI to transform efficiency, services, and mission delivery

• Why trust, transparency, and responsible use are essential

• How AI can support policymaking, scenario planning, and national development

• The future of AI in defense, public administration, and citizen experience

• Parenting in the age of AI — and how to prepare the next generation

• How countries like United Arab Emirates are taking a leading role in shaping AI innovation and global cooperation

• Her personal stories about using AI in daily life and creativity

Alexis also reflects on her participation in the TRENDS Annual AI Conference, her experiences living in the UAE, and why the next decade will redefine how humans and intelligent systems work together.

This episode is a must-watch for policymakers, innovators, educators, and anyone curious about how AI will shape the world we live in.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome

Opening the episode and introducing Alexis Bonnell from OpenAI.

01:00 – What “AI for Humanity” Means for Governments

How AI can transform public services, missions, and citizen experience.

04:30 – Trust, Safety & Responsible AI Use

Building confidence in AI technology and ensuring safe adoption.

07:20 – AI Across Government Sectors

From defense to public administration — why all sectors must embrace AI.

10:00 – AI in Policymaking, Efficiency & Everyday Life

How AI improves decisions, reduces bureaucracy, and supports daily tasks.

16:00 – AI in Education & Raising the Next Generation

Preparing children and youth for an AI-driven future.

19:40 – AI, Diplomacy & Global Security Risks

How AI strengthens cooperation — and the challenges of misuse.

27:20 – The UAE’s Leadership & The Future of AI

Why the UAE is emerging as a global AI-native nation.

Season 2 of Trending Echoes is here—bringing fresh voices, bold ideas, and conversations that matter.

We kick off with a special episode featuring Sir Liam Fox, former UK Secretary of State for Defence and Chair of the Abraham Accords Prosperity Group.

From medicine to politics, Sir Liam shares his extraordinary journey, offering rare insights into the world of diplomacy, global trade, and UK politics.

In this episode, he explores

A life of service: His transition from doctor to politician and lessons from over 30 years in the UK Parliament.

Shaping history: Reflections on Brexit, UK-US relations, and the art of international negotiation.

Leadership & extremism: Perspectives on freedom of expression, societal tolerance, and confronting extremism.

Empowering the future: The Abraham Accords Prosperity Group’s mission to foster youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and regional cooperation.

MENA’s opportunities: Insights into water security, energy, and sustainable development shaping the next generation.

This is more than a conversation—it’s a roadmap for leadership, diplomacy, and investing in people to build lasting peace and prosperity.

Listen, reflect, and be inspired to shape the future.

Trending Echoes @ ADIBF 2025

TRENDS Research & Advisory, the Platinum Sponsor of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025, presents a special episode of the Trending Echoes Podcast: “Roots and Plans of Violence Among the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan” featuring Dr. Saleh Al Maaytah.

Recorded LIVE at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025

Jordan’s recent ban on the Muslim Brotherhood has sent shockwaves across the region. In this exclusive Trending Echoes episode, strategic analyst Dr. Saleh Al-Maaytah breaks down:

✔️ Why Jordan took this decisive step after decades of tolerance

✔️ How the Brotherhood’s shift from social work to militancy backfired

✔️ Public reaction – Do Jordanians support the ban?

✔️ Regional fallout – Will this strain Jordan’s foreign relations?

✔️ The Brotherhood’s future – Can they survive as a political force?

A must-watch for anyone tracking Middle East politics! #ADIBF2025 #Jordan #MuslimBrotherhood #Geopolitics

Join us as we explore the ideological and political dynamics of the Brotherhood in Jordan, recorded live from the TRENDS Pavilion.

In this episode, Nicholas Michelone, Managing Partner at Agonal Partners, discusses how companies navigate geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts, particularly in the context of the growing geopolitical divide—especially between the U.S. and China.

A central topic of the conversation is the U.S.–China trade war, specifically the recent tariff policy led by former President Donald Trump. Michelone unpacks the baseline 10% tariff imposed on all imports, with a focus on so-called “reciprocal tariffs” against nations perceived to be taking advantage of the U.S. He criticizes the flawed economic logic behind these measures, noting that the formula used to justify them lacks real macroeconomic grounding.

Michelone highlights that, despite being framed as global tariffs, the policy is clearly targeted at China. The U.S. eventually suspended tariffs on other countries while sharply increasing them for China—up to 145%. In response, China raised its own tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%, signaling a strong retaliatory stance. He believes Trump underestimated China’s resilience and ability to respond strategically—whether through currency manipulation, reducing U.S. debt holdings, or enduring economic shocks in the name of long-term strategic autonomy.

The conversation shifts to the broader implications. Michelone argues that this tariff war doesn’t have immediate winners—everyone is losing, particularly due to global interdependence in supply chains. Even countries not directly involved are being pulled into the fray. However, he sees this as an opportunity: a wake-up call for the rest of the world to diversify trade relationships, reconfigure supply chains, and build economic resilience.

Regions like the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa could benefit from the geopolitical shake-up by stepping up as alternative trade partners. He notes early signs of this happening, citing new free trade discussions between the UAE and the EU, India, and other nations.

Ultimately, Michelone views the current upheaval as a chance to move away from an unsustainable system where China was the world's factory and the U.S. its consumer. The crisis, in his view, could spark a healthier and more balanced global trade architecture.