On Jordan

Daoud Kuttab, director general of the Amman-based Balad Radio discusses the new election law for the September 10 parliamentary race. Kuttab, a veteran Al-Monitor columnist, explains which political parties are expected to do well in the race. He details the key domestic policy issues being raised in the campaign along with how the Gaza war will impact the elections. Finally, Kuttab addresses expected voter turnout during the upcoming election.

Senior Human Rights Watch researcher Hiba Zayadin joins the podcast to discuss the mistreatment of children born to a Jordanian mother and a foreign father. Zayadin explains the reasons for the discrimination, including how it relates to the Palestinian question. She notes that these children are denied citizenship despite being born in the Hashemite Kingdom to a Jordanian parent and details how it impacts their employment opportunities. Finally, Zayadin addresses how Queen Rania attempted unsuccessfully to change this law some 20 years ago.

Saad Hattar, head of the Roya News Media Group based in Amman, joins the podcast to discuss Jordan's reaction to Iraq's 1990 conquest of Kuwait, Hattar, who previously co-founded the Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad's editorial division, explains why Saddam Hussein and King Hussein formed such close ties in the 1980s. The analyst discusses Jordanian public opinion during the war and detailed how King Hussein's stance led to tensions with the United States. Finally, Hattar examined how Jordan shifted its policy toward the Iraqi president during the final years of King Hussein's rule.

Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, joins the podcast to discuss Jordanian airstrikes in Syria during the past two months. Lister addresses whether this bombing campaign has been effective against the drug smugglers and notes civilian casualties. He also examines how the Syrian government has handled smuggling across its border into Jordan. Finally, Lister views whether the January killing of three US soldiers in Jordan will be a regular occurrence similar to the attacks US troops in Iraq and Syria face from Iran-backed militias.

Former Jordanian minister Marwan Juma joins the podcast to discuss how the Israel-Hamas war has affected the Hashemite Kingdom. Juma views the Jordanian government's influence on the Gaza conflict since October 7th. He discusses the government's attitude toward strikes and boycotts inside Jordan along with the level of public support for Hamas. Finally, given the many protests outside of the US Embassy in Amman, Juma analyzes whether the outrage against the Biden administration for supporting Israel during the Gaza war will impact the overall US-Jordanian relationship.

Rev. David Rihani, head of the Assemblies of God Church in Jordan, joins the podcast to discuss the Christian community in the Hashemite Kingdom. Rev. Rihani discusses government treatment of Christians and views how the community has changed compared to 50 years ago. He also details his own upbringing in the Church growing up in the Jordanian city of Salt.

Raya Sharbain, an Amman-based trainer of digital security for journalists, joins the podcast to discuss the new cybercrime passed by parliament. The podcast discusses how this measure will impact civil society along with the kingdom's economy. Sharbain details the Jordanian public's reaction to the controversial measure. Finally, the podcast also examines whether the State Department statement critiquing the cybercrime law was appropriate or viewed as intervening in domestic Jordanian affairs.

Former Jordanian minister Mohammad Abu-Rumman joins the podcast to discuss the popularity of Hamas among Jordanian public opinion. Dr. Abu-Rumman, a political science professor at the University of Jordan, also details the Jordanian government's current attitude toward the Palestinian militant group. He explains why King Abdullah expelled the Hamas leadership from Jordan in 1999 during his first year on the throne. Dr. Abu-Rumman also views Jordan's response to the victory of Hamas in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary election and the accusation that year Hamas smuggled weapons from Syria into the Hashemite Kingdom.

Oraib Rantawi, director of the Amman-based Al-Quds Center for Political Studies, joins the podcast to discuss the improved ties between Jordan and Syria. Rantawi views Amman's motivation for the gestures toward the Assad regime and explains how the US critique of normalization with Syria impacts King Abdullah's policy. He also analyzes the May 2023 Jordanian airstrike in Syria against drug smugglers. Finally, Rantawi addresses whether the numerous Syrian refugees living in Jordan will soon return to their homes across the border.

Jordanian queer and feminist activist Hasan Kilani joins the podcast to discuss the LGBTQ community in the Hashemite Kingdom. Kilani details the challenges facing the community while also noting how the situation in Jordan has improved in recent years. Kilani addresses whether it is beneficial to the LGBT community in Jordan for the US Embassy in Amman to publicly promote queer events. Finally, Kilani describes the role of class among Jordanian LGBT individuals.

Dr. Yezid Sayigh, senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, joins the podcast to discuss Jordan's 1970 civil war. He examines the origin of the crisis and discusses how much support King Hussein had among Jordanians for the crackdown against Palestinian militants. Dr. Sayigh, author of the award winning book: "Armed Struggle and the Search for State: The Palestinian National Movement, 1949-1993," explains why Syria invaded northern Jordan during the conflict. He views the US role in the affair and notes the lessons King Hussein learned from this uprising. 

Jordanian political economist Laith Al-Ajlouni joins the podcast to discuss the Hashemite Kingdom's ties with the International Monetary Fund. He addresses the IMF's priorities in Jordan along with the reasons pushing Amman to first work with the Washington DC-based organization in 1989. Al-Ajlouni also explains why some Jordanians cited the IMF as one of their grievances during the Arab Spring protests. Finally, the Amman-based analyst notes whether the Jordanian government will soon wean itself off of the IMF after working with the organization for nearly 30 years. 

Daoud Kuttab, Director General of the Amman-based Balad Radio, joins the podcast to discuss the December 2022 trucker demonstrations. Kuttab explains what sparked the protests and views the government's response to the discontent. He notes the role of Tik-Tok during the unrest and provides more information about the killing of the four Jordanian officers. Finally, Kuttab views whether these protests will bring strategic change to the Hashemite Kingdom. 

Barak Ravid, contributing correspondent for Axios, joins the podcast to discuss how Benjamin Netanyahu's expected return to power will change Jordanian-Israeli relations. Ravid explains the significance behind King Abdullah's November 14th reported call with Netanyahu and details the security ties between the two neighboring countries amid political tensions. Finally, Ravid addresses a Washington Post article claiming that Netanyahu was involved in the 2021 Prince Hamzah sedition affair against King Abdullah. 

Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, joins the podcast about HRW's September report on the difficulties facing Jordanian civil society. Coogle details how the civic space in the Hashemite Kingdom has shrunk in recent years and explains if the New York-based organization was calling for the United States to cut aid to Jordan. He discusses why the Jordanian government rejected a local NGO's request to receive a German grant for a recycling awareness program. Finally, Coogle addresses which topics are considered most sensitive for Jordanian civil society. 

Dr. Jillian Schwedler joins the podcast to discuss her new book on the kingdom's protest movement. She details the obstancles that the Jordanian government places to make demonstrations more difficult. Schwedler, who serves as a professor of Political Science at Hunter College, addresses whether protestors only assail the prime minister or also criticize King Abdullah. Furthermore, she analyzes whether the Jordanian government's management of the Arab Spring demonstrations was considered a success story. Finally, Professor Schwedler discusses whether protests have secured any strategic victories in regards to the country's economic woes, overall political system or foreign relations. 

Former Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher joins the podcast to discuss what political changes are necessary for the Hashemite Kingdom. Dr. Muasher, who also served as Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Ambassador to the United States, views the impact of last year's Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System. He also recounts his personal experience trying to build a secular Jordanian political party a few years ago while outside the government along with his 2005 effort to advance reform from as a Jordanian minister. Finally, Dr. Muasher examines if it would be benefitical for the Biden administration to publicly press for politcal reform in the Kingdom. 

Amer Sabaileh, a columnist for 12 years at the Jordan Times, joins the podcast to discuss King Abdullah's May letter criticizing Prince Hamzah. Sabaileh, previously a professor at the University of Jordan, views Hamzah's popularity among Jordanians. He also evaluates whether King Abdullah's latest letter will close the chapter for the Kingdom on the 2021 sedition affair.  Finally, Sabaileh details the differences in tone between Hamzah's March apology letter to King Abdullah and his April tweet renouncing the title of prince. 

Ashraf Zeitoon, former Head of Public Policy for the Middle East at Facebook, joins the podcast to discuss which social media platforms are most popular in the Hashemite Kingdom. Zeitoon, who previously served in Jordan's Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister's office, explains why WhatsApp calls cannot be made to Jordan. He discusses how the Jordanian government restricts social media access. Zeitoon, who also served as the first director of Public Policy for the Middle East at Netflix, examines the 2022 statement by Jordan's Prime Minister that over 100,000 fake social media accounts were established from across the region to target Jordan. Finally, Zeitoon explains why social media companies have declined to open large regional offices in Amman. 

Jordan's Tourism Minister Nayef Al-Fayez highlights the Hashemite Kingdom's best tourist attractions. Minister Fayez details the biggest misperception of Jordan when speaking with colleagues abroad. His Excellency discusses the country's new tourist initiatives and explains what day-to-day life is like while serving as a Jordanian minister. 

Taghreed Risheq, a longtime Jordanian reporter, details her 11 hour detention at the Amman airport due to a tweet criticizing another journalist. Risheq, who worked for 17 years as a reporter for the Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad explains how Jordanian authorities prosecuted a case against her without offering any notification. Risheq explains how US Congresswoman Betty McCollum contacted the Jordanian Embassy in Washington on her behalf and the case's eventual dismissal. Finally, Risheq discusses the overall state of freedoms across the Hashemite Kingdom.

Dutch Ambassador to Amman Harry Verweij joins the podcast to discuss Jordan's efforts to combat climate change. Ambassador Verweij explains the difficulties climate change poses to the Hashemite Kingdom in the upcoming decades. He details the Dutch Embassy in Amman's specific initiatives to address some of Jordan's environmental challenges. Finally, Ambassador Verweij notes his favorite tourist spot in Jordan. 

Dr. Hassan Barari, a Jordanian political analyst joins the podcast to discuss the Hashemite Kingdom's stance on the Ukraine war. Dr. Barari, who is a professor of international relations at Qatar University, explains why Jordan voted at the United Nations to condemn Russia's invasion. He discusses Jordanian public attitude toward the conflict and notes why King Abdullah has declined to personally criticize Moscow since the February 24th invasion. Professor Barari also details the Ukraine war's impact on Russia's presence in Syria, along Jordan's northern border.

Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Farah Maraqa joins the podcast to discuss the February 20th New York Times report of King Abdullah's Swiss bank accounts exceeding over $200 million. Maraqa, who has reported for Raialyoum and Deutsche Welle, discusses how the Jordanian public and media responded to the story. She explains the Royal Court's response to the affair along with why King Abdullah keeps such large amount of his wealth outside Jordan. Finally, Maraqa details how the Hashemite Kingdom's challenging economic conditions affect how citizens view the latest leak of King Abdullah's wealth abroad. 

An interview with Canadian Ambassador to Amman, Donica Pottie, about women's rights in Jordan. Ambassador Pottie discusses how the pandemic has impacted gender equality in the Hashemite Kingdom. The senior Canadian diplomat explains the challenges regarding employment as 86% of Jordanian women are currently absent from the country's workforce. Ambassador Pottie addresses the impact of an amendment to the Hashemite Kingdom's constitution adding the term "Jordanian women." Additionally, she notes where Jordan has most improved in terms of gender equality.  

Dr. Joas Wagemakers, Associate Professor of Islam and Arabic at Utrecht University, joins the podcast to discuss the current goals of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood. Professor Wagemakers, who wrote a 2020 book on the Islamist group, explains the tension between King Abdullah and the Muslim Brotherhood. He also estimates how the Islamic Action Front would fare if elections were held in the Hashemite Kingdom without gerrymandering and government restrictions. Finally, Dr. Wagemakers notes the attitudes of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood toward the United States. 

Mohammed Ersan, editor-in-chief of Balad Radio, joins the podcast to discuss Jordan's military killing 27 suspected drug smugglers attempting to cross the Syrian border last week. Ersan, a Jordanian contributor for Middle East Eye and Arabi21, explains which groups are behind the smuggling along the Syrian border in addition to the Jordanian public's reactions to these events. Finally, Ersan analyzes what factors led to this high death toll.  

Professor Sean Yom, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University, joins the podcast to discuss how the Kingdom's electoral laws have been impacted by tensions between individuals of tribal background and Jordanians of Palestinian descent. Dr. Yom, the author of the upcoming book, "Jordan: Politics in an Accidental Crucible" discusses the chances a Jordanian of Palestinian origin has of serving and advancing within the Kingdom's military or intelligence directorate. Finally, Professor Yom addresses why Jordan's Prime Minister announced in 2013 that the country would bar Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria entry into Jordan. 

An interview with Jordanian journalist Suha Ma’ayeh on the December 28th brawl in Jordan's Parliament. Ma'yaeh, whose articles have appeared in Foreign Policy and the Wall Street Journal, details why Jordanians have such little trust in the country's legislative branch. She also discusses which groups have been over-represented in parliament as well as the influence of the Hashemite Kingdom's security sector on lawmakers' votes. 

Dr. Bessma Momani, Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, unpacks the April sedition case involving Prince Hamzah. She discusses Jordanian public opinion toward Prince Hamzah and the overall affair. Finally, Professor Momani explains the long-term implications of the plot for Jordan and the lessons for King Abdullah.

Taylor Luck, an Amman-based correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, speaks about how Jordan's ties with Washington changed after President Joe Biden entered office. Taylor discusses the likelihood of Amman continuing to receive nearly $1.5 billion in annual US aid a decade from now along with questions about US involvement in Jordanian political reform. Finally, Taylor explains Jordanian attitudes toward the nearly 3,000 US troops deployed in the Hashemite Kingdom. 

An interview with former Jordanian labor minister Dr. Jawad Anani explaining the reasons for the Hashemite Kingdom's 25 percent unemployment rate. Dr. Anani, who also served as head of the Royal Court under King Hussein, discusses the preferences among many Jordanians to work in the public sector.

An interview with Oraib Rantawi, director of the Amman-based Quds Center for Political Studies, on the Jordanian public's reaction to the November 22nd agreement with Israel and the UAE. Rantawi also discusses how the Jordanian government has handled the domestic criticism. 

An interview with Rana Sweis, an Amman-based freelance journalist for the New York Times and other outlets, about press conditions in Jordan. Sweis discusses the increase in self-censorship among Jordanian reporters and notes the dynamics for female journalists in the Kingdom. 

An interview with UN Refugee Agency spokeswoman in Jordan Lily Carlisle on the conditions facing Syrian refugees in the Hashemite Kingdom. The UN official also discusses why a vast majority of refugees have not returned to Syria even as the fighting has declined.

An interview with former Jordanian minister Dr. Fares Braizat on the new public opinion poll asking citizens across the Hashemite Kingdom about their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Amman's ties with superpowers including the US and China, along with Jordan's role in the region. Dr. Braizat is the chairman of the Jordanian think tank that conducted this poll. 

An interview with Al-Monitor contributor Osama Al-Sharif on Jordan's efforts to advance political reform. The episode discusses Jordanian public attitudes toward the reform measures and if the latest royal committee will lead to a strong parliamentary system.

Join us for an in-depth discussion with veteran Amman-based journalist Daoud Kuttab and hosted by Aaron Magid about why Jordan dramatically boosted its ties with Syria a decade after King Abdullah called for President Assad's resignation.