A solid example of the concept that states are what they do not what they say. I have had mixed feelings about Jordan. It is good to see a concrete example of civilized behavior from a Muslim State. Jordan is really caught between a rock and a hard place. Internal and external pressure of huge proportions; one might say, biblical. The new king has big shoes to fill.
Interesting contrast with this article:
- Jordanian daily calls for Arab-Iranian coordination to face US "storm"
- Khaleej Times | February 5, 2002 | AFP
AMMAN - A Jordanian newspaper called on Monday for Arab-Iranian coordination to offset any possible US attack on Iraq and Iran as Jordan's King Abdullah II warned again of the repercussions of a strike on Baghdad. Al Arab Al Yawm daily accused Washington of naming Iraq, Iran and North Korea as part of an "axis of evil" to please Israel, which it said sees a threat coming from these three nations. "North Korea was added to the "axis of evil" next to Iraq and Iran because it is accused of exporting weapons to countries opposed to Israel," the newspaper said ...Posted on 2/5/02 9:51 AM Eastern by stilts
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Jordan has the most to lose among Arabs states if things continue to go downhill. Abdullah and co. want to stay on the good side of the US. They've maintained formal peace with Israel for a while now, and stop alot of acts of Iraqi terror from reaching Israel. Israel and Jordan share a good deal of intel, since both countries see the palistinians are bottom-feeder terrorists.
They try to keep much of this from the Arab world, and they want to prevent all-out war. If things get really ugly, they will quickly become the Belgium of Middle East.