[Alberta's Child]

Jordan is weak because their economy is so weak. They are the poorest country in the Middle East in terms of natural resources, so they have to rely on other countries to provide almost everything they need to support their population. That's why they were cutting oil and gas deals with Saddam Hussein all the time.

Having said that, it's worth noting that Jordan's king has more respect and credibility than most leaders anywhere in the world -- which means Jordan will always be a player in Middle East politics.

[rightwingcrazy]

I suspect Israel is even poorer in terms of natural resources, but with a spectacularly different outcome.

Agree RE the king of Jordan. His influence is constrained, though, by the need to please a complex combination of interests, foreign and domestic.