Trump Doctrine 2.0: What It Means for the Middle East
Countries across the Middle East are making moves and preparing for President Donald Trump’s incoming United States administration. Many of the region’s leaders were in power during the first...
Abdullah II of Jordan
Syria’s New Authorities Vow to Shutter Captagon Trade
Narcotraffickers who attempted to flood Jordan with over 27 million illicit captagon pills in 2024 may now be out of business. “When it comes to captagon and drug smuggling, we promise it is over and...
Policy Briefs
Is Syria’s Julani part of a rising generation of younger Middle East leaders?
If Julani is to remain in power for the coming years, he could play a transformative role in Syria and the Middle East.
Op-eds
Southern Syria’s resurgence brings Jordan and Iraq back in key roles
Jordan seeks to ensure regional security and stability, including in Syria, including by involving the international community in these prospects.
Op-eds
Iran is Gaining Ground in Jordan
A Jordanian population sympathetic to Iran’s ambitions, coupled with the country’s long border with Israel, could turn Jordan into a potential launching pad for attacks against Israel.
Op-eds
Iran’s FM launches historic regional tour, strengthening ties with Arab states
As Iran's foreign minister makes his tour, it is in contrast to his Israeli counterparts, who have not made any regional tours like this or have not been able to do much outreach since October 7.
Op-eds
Pro-Hamas Islamists Win the Most Seats in Jordanian Elections
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Islamic Action Front (IAF) secured 31 of 138 seats in Jordanian parliamentary elections on September 10, the most of any party. The IAF achieved its best result in 35 years by...
Policy Briefs
Will Jordan’s new electoral law bring real change?
Jordanians will head to the polls on September 10 to elect all 138 members of their lower house of parliament. Historically, most Jordanian lawmakers have been independents representing narrow...
Op-eds
Israel Urges West to Shore Up Jordan Against Iran
Israel urged Western countries on August 29 to help shore up Jordan against destabilization efforts by Iran. On the second day of an Israeli security sweep of the West Bank, Israeli...
Flash Briefs
Israel Issues Warning Over Iran, Hamas Destabilization of Jordan and West Bank
Israel’s foreign minister warned that Iran and its Palestinian terrorist proxy Hamas are attempting to destabilize both Jordan and the Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled West...
Flash Briefs
Jordanian Foreign Minister Arrives in Tehran Amid Growing Fears of Iranian Attack on Israel
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi traveled to Iran on August 4 to discuss regional developments with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Bagheri Kani. Safadi is the first Jordanian...
Flash Briefs
Israel Renews Water-Sharing Agreement With Jordan Despite Strained Bilateral Ties
Israel renewed its water-sharing agreement with Jordan on May 16 for six months. The Jewish state has transferred fresh water to Jordan for 30 years under the terms of the two countries’...
Flash Briefs
Jordan Rejects Hosting Hamas as Pressure Rises on Qatar
A senior Jordanian diplomat on May 2 firmly rejected the suggestion that Hamas could move its political bureau to Jordan if forced to leave its current base in Qatar. “Hamas behaves...
Flash Briefs
Sidestepping Tensions With Israel, Jordan Helps Repel Iran With U.S.-Led Coalition
The Jordanian Air Force joined a U.S.-led coalition to help repel Iran’s weekend attack against Israel, shooting down dozens of drones in Jordanian airspace overnight between April...
Flash Briefs
Iraqi Militia Threatens to Arm Jordanians for Attacks Against Israel
An Iraq-based Iranian proxy militia on April 1 threatened to retaliate against Israel for its airstrikes in Damascus and for the war in Gaza by arming fighters in Jordan. Abu al-Askari,...
Flash Briefs
Jordanian Activists Demand End to Peace With Israel
Jordanian activists renewed calls on March 31 to demonstrate against the Gaza war and demand an end to Israeli-Jordanian peace. A group named the Jordanian Youth Gathering urged...
Flash Briefs
The Queen’s speech
Her Majesty Rania Al Abdullah misses an opportunity
Op-eds
Jordan Asks Israel to Extend Water-for-Energy Deal
Jordan asked Israel on March 3 to extend a water-for-energy deal by an additional year that the two countries signed in 2021. Brokered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the agreement...
Flash Briefs
U.S., Egyptian, Qatari, and Israeli Officials End Talks Without A Deal
Officials from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel met in Cairo on February 13 to try to outline a potential deal between Hamas and Israel. CIA Director Bill Burns, Qatari...
Flash Briefs
Biden to Host King of Jordan at White House
Jordan’s King Abdullah II will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on February 12, the Biden administration announced on February 8. White House Press Secretary Karine...