Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues
Abstract
The death of King Hussein on February 7, 1999, removed a strong U.S. ally and force for stability; however, his son and successor, King Abdullah, has continued to follow the late King's moderate and pro-western policies. In recent years, Jordan has taken significant steps toward building democratic life, including a return to limited parliamentary democracy. Parliament has eased restrictions in laws affecting the press, but some remain. Several issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations are likely to figure in decisions by Congress and the Administration on future aid to and cooperation with Jordan. These include the stability of the Jordanian regime, democratic reform under way in Jordan, the role of Jordan in the Arab-Israeli peace process, Jordan's concerns over the U.S.-led campaign against Iraq in 2003, and its relations with other regional states. King Abdullah expressed Jordan's "absolute condemnation" of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and was the first Arab head of state to visit President Bush after the attacks. Jordan sent military medical and mine clearing units to Afghanistan in December 2001 to support the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, and a field hospital to Iraq in April 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jordan is also helping train Iraqi police and military personnel for the reconstituted Iraqi security forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 22, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA476224
Entities
People
- Alfred B. Prados
Organizations
- Library of Congress