Jordan's Role with Syria

Currently in the country of Jordan is experiencing problems due to mass numbers of Syrian refugees fleeing into Jordan in order to escape the turmoil in Syria. The country of Jordan has experienced a flood of approximately 385,000 Syrian refugees with close to 2,000 refugees crossing into Jordan each day (BBC). With so many refugees fleeing into Jordan, it has placed an economic burden on the country of Jordan for it has to supply the Syrian refugees with essentials such as water, sanitation, vaccines, and other services. To make matters worse, the UN plans to cut back funding to Jordan since providing funds for the Syrian refuges has become unmanageable and very costly. The refugees from Syria are not the only problem Jordan faces due to the turmoil in Syria, the Syrian rebel fighters have also become a problem as well.

Syrian Refugee Camp in Jordan

Last week, the Syrian rebels took control over a post on the main highway that connects the Syrian-Jordan border (Al Jazeera). With the fighting and deaths on the border, the Jordan government had to tighten security and add soldiers to prevent rebel fighting from spilling into Jordan. The Jordanian information minister Sameeh Maaytah stated, “Jordan can’t sit idle and watch Al-Qaeda and other militants seizing control of its common border with Syria” (Al Jazeera). Currently the Jordanian government is fully aware of the potentially detrimental situation that is taking place along its border, and they are trying to do their best to get the situation under control before it spills into the interior of Jordan. WATCH VIDEO

With Jordanian King Abdullah’s controversial remarks and his insulting tirade attacks on Egypt’s president, he isn’t making many friends in the region. Some of these insults and remarks include saying Egypt’s President Assad has “no depth” along with poking fun at Assad for not knowing the meaning of “jet lag”. Additionally, he describes the Muslim Brotherhood as a “masonic cult”, and he scorned East Bank tribal leaders and called them “dinosaurs” (Guardian). With King Abdullah controversial remarks, he has brought embarrassment and disapproval from the Jordanian people. I believe the best advice someone can give King Abdullah is to put a filter on his comments so he doesn’t lose legitimacy, especially during these times of turmoil with the current problem in Syria.

King Abdullah of Jordan

The country of Jordan and King Abdullah should be on high alert due to the current problems regarding the Jordan-Syrian border so the country of Jordan doesn’t experience a spill-over effect from Syria. Jordan can potentially experience a state failure as we discussed in class if they are unable to control their borders from mass numbers of Syrian refugees coming into the country and also from the actions of the Syrian rebels who are currently very violent and strong. If Jordan continues to allow mass numbers of Syrian refugees into their country, they are going to experience a huge economic collapse and King Abdullah could possibly lose his legitimacy and support from Jordanians and place his kingdom at risk.

Work Cited

Black, Ian. "Barack Obama Visits Jordan amid Red Faces at King Abdullah's Comments." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 22 Mar. 2013. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/22/obama-jordan-king-abdullah>.

"UN Agency 'broke' as Syria Refugee Funds Run out." BBC News. BBC, 05 Apr. 2013. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22045451>.

"Syrian Rebels Claim to Seize Border Post." - Middle East. Al Jazeera, 05 Apr. 2013. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. <http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/04/2013451652550741.html>.