Defending Stability and Order in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Al-Watan, Egypt, February 23

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan represents a point of equilibrium and stability in the middle of a tumultuous and turbulent region. Between the ongoing civil war in Syria, the spread of radical militias in Iraq, the ongoing conflict in Palestine, and the political and economic problems in Lebanon, Jordan has benefited from law, order, and safety. There’s no doubt that this stability has been guaranteed and preserved thanks to the wisdom of those leading Jordan, whether in the foreign or domestic policies they have enacted, in addition to the success of the Jordanian economy in recent years. Unfortunately, it seems as if there are those who aren’t content with Jordan’s promising status and are thus trying to undermine its position. For example, there have been attempts to destabilize the royal family by spreading rumors and fake reports pertaining to the fortunes of King Abdullah and his family. The Jordanian Royal Court was bold and courageous when it issued a statement describing this information as inaccurate and misleading, and refuted the allegations made against the king and the queen. Publishing fake findings, relying on half-truths, and doctoring tidbits of information to craft a false narrative that fits a certain political trope are dangerous endeavors that must be fought against. Jordan’s growing strength within the Arab world may bother some and its economic alliances may annoy others. However, the kingdom has been able to escape from the turmoil that affected most of its neighbors, and the Arab world should show solidarity with it. The Kingdom of Jordan has been able to balance its foreign relations with its domestic politics and promote the interests of both the Arab world and the Jordanian people. For all this, it has become and will continue to be targeted by extremist voices, and attempts to sedition will not stop, whether through false information or other means. All of this requires a strong, unified Arab stance in support of Jordan and the royal family. –Mahmoud Muslim (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)