Politics
From The Report: Jordan 2012
View in Online Reader

The kingdom faced a number of major political and economic challenges in 2011, including high unemployment, rising inflation and a $2bn budget deficit. Furthermore, like many other countries in the Middle East, Jordan is currently in the midst of a series of potentially transformative political reforms brought about by the Arab Spring protests in early 2011. Unlike many of its neighbours, however, Jordan has remained relatively stable, both politically and socially. Moreover, Jordan’s strategic regional importance is becoming increasingly evident. The Gulf economies stand to benefit substantially from Jordan’s close trade and political relationships with leading Western economies. The kingdom’s free trade agreement with the US, for example, could potentially be used as a conduit to boost Gulf exports to the lucrative American market.

This chapter includes a viewpoint with King Abdullah II; Nouri Al Maliki, the Prime Minister of Iraq; and John Kerry, US Senator and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Holding the centre: Amidst challenging times, the kingdom remains a regional focal point
OBG
plus

The events of the Arab Spring, which have dominated national and regional discourse since early 2011, have injected a greater sense of immediacy and urgency into the political reform process in Jordan. Still, the kingdom has avoided the turmoil seen in neighbouring countries, and local protestors have mostly called for a reorganisation and reform of the government as opposed to suggesting it be overthrown. This is largely the result of King Abdullah II, Jordan’s ruler, who has worked to…

Analysis

An exclusive club: GCC membership would benefit both parties
OBG
plus

In September 2011, after months of deliberation, the GCC formally invited Jordan to submit a bid for membership to the oil-rich economic union. The invitation, which was also extended to Morocco, represents the first time the six GCC states – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman – have sought to broaden the organisation’s membership since its founding in 1981. The move will benefit both parties. As a GCC member state, Jordan would receive much-needed financial support…

Viewpoint

King Abdullah II on finding opportunities amidst the challenges of the ongoing Arab Spring
OBG
plus

The events that have swept through the Middle East recently have been described in many different ways, and have generated a vast array of scenarios and resulted in a multitude of new regional dynamics and postures. The only universally accepted certainty is that our region has changed forever. There’s no going back on the aspirations of Arab societies, especially youths, to have a bigger say in decision-making, live in dignity, access jobs, and enjoy their right to equal opportunities…

Analysis

The long spring: Unrest in the region has further underscored the importance of reform
OBG
plus

The Arab Spring has certainly had an impact on the Kingdom of Jordan – demonstrators have taken to the streets of Amman and other urban centres on a fairly regular basis over the past year – but the nation has nevertheless proved to be more resilient than many others in the region. King Abdullah II, Jordan’s ruler since 1999, remains popular among the majority of the population. He has reacted quickly to protestors’ demands by twice replacing the prime minister, by supporting political…

Interview

OBG talks to Nouri Al Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq
OBG
plus

Interview: Nouri Al Maliki What role does Jordan play for Iraq in the region and how can this relationship be enhanced? NOURI AL MALIKI: Jordan holds an important role for Iraq for many reasons. First, Jordan’s location makes it a natural trade passageway between Iraq and the Red Sea. Second, Jordan has established a unique political role in the Middle East as a mediator and as a force for stability. Third, Jordan has achieved significant human and economic development in recent decades, setting…

Interview

OBG talks to John Kerry, US Senator and Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
OBG
plus

Interview: John Kerry What recommendations do you have for leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) seeking to convert turmoil into long-term, positive reforms? JOHN KERRY: We are all following every move in the wave of economic, political and demographic changes sweeping through the MENA region. Thoughtful Arab leaders, such as King Abdullah II of Jordan, King Hassan of Morocco and Sultan Qaboos of Oman, have tried to anticipate these changes and lead rather than follow. Of course, each…

Analysis

Partners in peace: Working to resolve one of the region’s oldest conflicts
OBG
plus

The ties between Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories run deep. The three entities came from a single political bloc in the early 20th century, and their fates have been intertwined ever since. Since the early 1990s, when King Hussein signed a peace treaty with Israel, Jordan has been a major player in the ongoing negotiations for an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. King Abdullah II, who came into power in 1999, has continued this effort. Most recently, in early January 2012, Jordan…