On Jordan Aaron Magid

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.