Jihadists in the Middle East and beyond are moving to capitalize on the political crisis in Egypt, arguing that the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood vindicates their long-espoused view that democracy is a dangerous proposition.

As blood has poured down Egyptian streets and civilians have clashed with security forces, Islamists have urged Egyptians to embrace violence to further their political goals.

The call to arms has the potential to fuel hard-line military movements that have taken root in Egypt's Sinai region and could prompt rank-and-file Muslim Brotherhood members to break with their group's pledge of nonviolence.