[Fabozz]

"If I remember correctly, Jordan is hosting both American and ISRAELI troops on its Eastern border with Iraq."

And has been for months, yes. That's why Jordan took the unprecedented step this year of sealing its border to Palestinians making pilgramage to Saudi Arabia—there's something going on in eastern Jordan that Abdullah doesn't want Iraq's PLO friends to see. There ain't gonna be any SCUDs hitting Tel Aviv this time around...

[FreeAtlanta]

It would make sense that he allow Israel and America to forward base the Arrows and Patriots. That would keep their smashed targets from falling onto Jordan. Maybe that was the carrot that was offered?

[JSteff]

You are right. Most forget that there was a small news peice several months to a year ago about an air base in south eastern Jordan that was being set up by Americans. ostensibly for "Air Sea Rescue Operations". This was supposedly being done in conjunction with Turkey, Egypt, and Israel.
My bet is they have been flying predators out of there for months. I said in an earlier post to another article the this was just before the push by us to get the UN inspections started again. Well the Iraqi's moved their stuff and we were watching.
I believe that this base will show to have been critical to the coming war effort.