Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan poses a security challenge to some Middle Eastern countries, especially the Gulf states, which prompted them to take measures to protect their interests. However, this withdrawal constitutes an opportunity for other Arab regimes such as Jordan to tighten their grip on their opponents.
The decision to hold parliamentary elections reflects Amman’s insistence on applying a dated paradigm to manage Jordan’s political and socioeconomic challenges.
The shifting relationships between armies and civil society are revealing new balances within defense structures.
Ahead of a renewed security cooperation between the U.K. and Jordan, more than ever, Jordan’s greatest security challenges stem from its economic crisis.
The dramatic death of the former president of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, on June 17th, reignited debate about the future of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and political Islam across the region.
As the Syrian government—with Russian assistance—consolidates its control over eastern Syria, Rukban camp’s IDPs face starvation or a return to violence.
Torn apart by worsening internal conflicts, the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood is struggling to avoid domestic isolation.
In Jordan, internationally backed efforts to extend successful community policing programs beyond refugee camps face multiple challenges.
Many Jordanians are unwilling to give the new Razzaz government a chance on its reintroduced tax bill unless accompanied by other reforms.
The Assad regime’s recent victories in southwestern Syria provide Jordan an opportunity to open the border and pursue reconstruction that could encourage refugees to return.
Gulf economic aid has averted Jordan’s debt crisis for now, but further support may require concessions regarding the kingdom’s previously independent foreign policy.
Like Hani al-Mulki, Omar al-Razzaz comes into office with a mandate to address economic issues that are beyond the Jordanian government’s ability to resolve.
Jordan has managed to reduce budgetary deficits for 2018, but rising operational costs and stagnant sources of revenue will keep it reliant on foreign aid.
Under increasing financial pressure, states hosting Syrian refugees are pressuring them to return whether conditions in Syria are safe or not.
Jordan is making a concerted effort to address unemployment by restricting foreign labor and promising increased vocational training.
Amid low enthusiasm for local elections intended to decentralize governance in Jordan, Islamists and their tribal allies have gained political ground.
While Jordan offers comparatively favorable labor laws for the region, many migrant workers remain legally and economically vulnerable.
Though the Muslim Brotherhood won a plurality of seats in Jordan’s elections, the biggest takeaway was the continued fragmentation of the vote within a weak field of parties.
Jordan’s weakened Islamists are building alliances with tribal candidates to boost votes in the upcoming elections.
Jordan’s latest government and constitutional changes could allow the monarchy to shift the burden of austerity to an elected government