National Security of Jordan in 2025: A new issue of the Jordanian Politics and Society Magazine
The Politics and Society Institute PSI has released the second issue of the Jordanian Politics and Society Magazine (JPS), focusing on Jordanian national security and its interconnected local, regional, and international dimensions. This issue, enriched by the contributions of a distinguished group of local and Arab researchers and experts, provides a structured approach to various related topics. The expertise of these contributors, amidst a volatile Middle Eastern regional context and international transformations that affect Jordan’s national security, ensures the audience the credibility and depth of the information presented.
The second issue of JPS magazine, forwarded by former Prime Minister Abdul Karim Kabariti, aims to raise awareness about Jordan’s national security. It fosters a constructive and practical discussion that integrates academic theories with the political landscape. The goal is to understand Jordan’s strategic reality better and clearly define the concept of Jordanian national security.
The discussion opens with an interview conducted by the magazine’s editorial team featuring political expert Prof. Dr. Hassan Al-Momani, the Center for Strategic Studies President and Professor of International Conflicts at the University of Jordan. The conversation was extensive and engaging, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and outlining Jordan’s national priorities amidst ongoing transformations.
The magazine delves into security-related themes in Jordan through seven insightful articles crafted by various Jordanian and Arab experts and researchers, each offering a unique perspective. Former Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher addresses the challenges that Jordan faces following the election of Donald Trump, with a keen focus on the nation’s apprehensions regarding Israel’s intentions to resolve the Palestinian issue, potentially at Jordan’s expense. He underscores the necessity for national dialogue and proactive diplomacy to tackle these emerging challenges.
Furthermore, Dr. Ibrahim Saif delves into Jordan’s pressing economic concerns, highlighting declining economic growth, soaring unemployment rates, and significant fiscal deficits. He attributes these challenges to the overarching impacts of regional crises and the country’s reliance on foreign aid. He advocates for policies that foster economic growth and sustainability, clearly focusing on their practical implications.
In Syria’s context, Fadel Hanci analyses the political landscape post-Assad, exploring the ramifications of a potential regime change on Syrian internal dynamics and regional security.
In addition, Dr Akef Al-Zoubi discusses food security in Jordan, where he navigates the challenges of resource scarcity and emphasises the importance of collaborative strategies at both regional and international levels to enhance food security. His emphasis on the need for shared responsibility in addressing these common security challenges makes the audience feel part of a collective effort, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Therefore, Dr. Ahmed Al-Salaima addresses the significance of energy security, presenting Jordan’s approaches to diversifying energy sources and emphasising renewable energy to bolster economic sustainability. Similarly, Omar Shushan highlights the adverse effects of climate change on Jordan’s water and energy resources, advocating for strengthened regional cooperation to mitigate these challenges.
Lastly, Dr. Hassan al-Barari tackles the security challenges confronting Israel, placing particular emphasis on how regional shifts in Lebanon and Syria influence Israel’s security paradigm. These articles present a comprehensive overview of various interlinked issues, illustrating that the broader security concept extends beyond mere border defence to encompass critical human security considerations.
This is followed by nine comprehensive analytical pieces that explore Jordan’s national security considerations and strategies employed by Jordan in safeguarding the state’s interests. Dr. Mohammed Abu Rumman begins by examining Jordan’s regional role, analysing the country’s significant transformations amid complex geopolitical shifts. The focus is on both the challenges and opportunities presented by the state’s foreign policies. Abu Rumman articulates the “regional role” concept through a theoretical framework that considers influential internal and external factors, including geographical position and regional and international alliances. The analysis reviews the evolution of Jordan’s role from King Abdullah I to King Abdullah II, emphasising key concepts such as “Jordan first” alongside the country’s contributions to counterterrorism and efforts in regional peacemaking. Additionally, it addresses recent regional changes and their effects on Jordan’s involvement in critical issues, such as the Palestinian question, the reconstruction of Syria, and relations with Gulf states.
Moreover, an analysis of Jordan’s strategies as an unwritten practice promotes resilience to regional fluctuations, as discussed by researcher Hasan Jaber. The study delves into the ongoing debate surrounding the necessity of a comprehensive national security strategy document for Jordan. It emphasises the document’s importance in establishing national priorities, coordinating security institutions, and enhancing transparency. Despite lacking such a document, Jordan adopts a practical and flexible approach tailored to address regional challenges, focusing on diplomacy and flexibility. Jaber also explores Jordan’s strategies, including strategic flexibility, constructive ambiguity, and rapid adaptability, while underscoring the role of the new National Security Council in framing national security strategy.
In his research on the identity of Jordanian national security, Mohammed Al-Amin Assaf addresses the challenges surrounding this identity in the context of Jordan’s geopolitical situation. Situated in a volatile region, Jordan faces significant geographical and political difficulties. The researcher highlights the threats posed by Iranian activities in the area, as well as Israeli expansionist ambitions, particularly concerning the West Bank and Palestine. Assaf points out the lack of a clear vision for Jordan’s national security and emphasises the need to develop a comprehensive model that reinforces national identity while addressing risks and challenges. He argues that pursuing representative and developmental justice enhances national and social cohesion.
This is followed by a discussion on the necessity for transformation in Jordan’s role, where researcher Anas Al-Dabbas examines the evolution of Jordan’s regional role throughout its various historical stages, from the reign of King Abdullah I to that of King Abdullah II. The analysis highlights the shifts in Jordan’s foreign policies in response to regional and international changes. It underscores the importance of reimagining Jordan’s regional role, emphasising the need for a more proactive leadership stance in reconstruction efforts, addressing regional threats, and enhancing stability. The researcher argues that Jordan should leverage its strategic position to strengthen its role as a leader of regional alliances and a guarantor of stability.
In the West Bank, Ibrahim Rabia’a, a Palestinian academic and researcher, confronts the challenges posed by Israel’s intensified settlement policies and their repercussions for the national security of both Jordan and Palestine. The book examines the deteriorating economic and political landscape in the West Bank, including the weakening of Palestinian authority and the occupation’s assault on infrastructure. It also considers the implications of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House for Israel’s increasing efforts to annex the West Bank. The article suggests avenues for joint action between Jordan and Palestine, such as bilateral coordination to develop strategies for confrontation and collective Arab cooperation to bolster the Palestinian position on the international stage, thus preventing any unilateral actions that could undermine the Palestinian cause.
In his analysis of Jordanian Gulf relations, Dr. Badr Al-Madi examines the concept of Jordan’s national security, highlighting the country’s internal and external challenges. These challenges include regional instability, economic difficulties, terrorist threats, and domestic issues. He emphasises that fostering relationships with Gulf states is crucial for strengthening Jordan’s stability, mainly through security and military cooperation, economic assistance, and Gulf investments.
The Iraqi expert, Dr. Firas Elias, analyses Iran’s regional strategy and its implications for Jordan’s national security, focusing on Iran’s objectives in the Middle East. The article examines how Iran is pursuing its geopolitical agenda, which stretches from Tehran to the Mediterranean, through international and non-international allies. Elias also highlights the tensions in Jordanian-Iranian relations, stemming from mutual suspicions that arose during Jordan’s support for Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war and exacerbated by Iran’s increasing regional influence post-2003. Additionally, Jordan faces security threats linked to the activities of Iran’s allies, including cross-border drug and arms smuggling, along with various geopolitical pressures. In this context, Elias advocates for Jordan’s developing a clear diplomatic strategy with Iran to ensure internal stability and balance its relations with regional and international powers.
The article by researcher Abdullah Al-Taie provides a comprehensive review of the recent developments in Jordanian-Iraqi relations, which have experienced a significant transformation in recent years. This transformation includes notable diplomatic advancements and a surge in economic cooperation despite ongoing political and security challenges. The analysis highlights the impact of regional and international shifts on the relationship between the two nations, with Iraq emerging as a crucial economic and political opportunity for Jordan, especially given the regional economic difficulties faced by Oman. The author underscores the importance of joint initiatives and collaboration on security and energy issues. Additionally, the piece addresses the obstacles posed by Iranian influence in Iraq, including the role of Iranian-backed armed factions that threaten Jordan’s security and jeopardise Jordanian projects, particularly those near the border.
Bilal Aladaileh’s article emphasises the significance of the partnership between Jordan and the European Union in enhancing Jordan’s national security through both security and economic support, as well as political backing to foster regional stability. This includes support for the Palestinian cause and addressing the refugee crises. Despite both sides’ challenges, such as the EU’s focus on the Ukraine crisis and the rise of populist movements, the partnership presents opportunities for Jordan to bolster its regional role and garner additional European assistance for modernisation and development initiatives.
In addition, Farah Abu Ayadeh, an assistant researcher at the institute, reviews Tareq Baconi’s book: “Hamas: The Rise of Palestinian Resistance and Attempts at Containment”. This work delves into the evolution of Hamas from an Islamic resistance movement into a governing authority in Gaza. It underscores Hamas’s political resilience, its regional alliances, and the numerous challenges it has encountered in response to Israel’s containment efforts.
In conclusion, in its latest issue, the Magazine produced by the Politics and Society Institute aims to explore the Jordanian National Security sphere more comprehensively. It seeks to research, analyse, and discuss the various topics and subjects that influence this domain to establish a realistic and logical perspective. The magazine emphasises causal and objective interpretations to better understand Jordan’s national security.