Potentially Destabilizing Effects of Islamic Fundamentalism on U.S. Aid to Jordan
Abstract
The 1979 Islamic fundamentalist revolution in Iran resulted in the replacement of the pro-U.S. monarchy of the Shah with the theocracy of the Ayatollah Khomeini, which repudiated all Iranian/U.S. security agreements radically changing the equations of influence in the Mid-East. The Iranian revolution was an expression of a resurgence of Islamic religious zeal throughout the area, a fundamentalist revival which threatens all Arab nations which support U.S. policy, especially vis-a-vis Israel. Fundamentalists, encouraged by the success of Khomeini, have pledged to support their religious brothers by all means available to them, including terrorism, assassination, and war. Jordon, absolutely essential to any possible Arab/Israeli accommodation because of its geopolitical position and historic association with the Palestinian people, it militarily extremely weak and financially dependent upon aid from nations themselves threatened by fundamentalism. Jordon's financial and military vulnerability coupled with its political fragility make it a prime target for radical Islamic destabilization. At present, Jordon, incapable of independent foreign policy, will continue under anti-U.S. pressures unless the U.S. develops a clearer understanding of the religious/political situation in the Mid-East and devises a security assistance program for Jordon which recognizes the value and vulnerability of that nation. This will require an increase of $400-700 million a year in FMS credits and economic aid for ten years, as well as the re-assessment of the traditional unconditional U.S. support of Israeli-perceived military requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA153801
Entities
People
- Connie L. Strobbe
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology