A prominent Jordanian analyst has issued a stark warning that the country faces three "difficult years" ahead, arguing that navigating this period will require immense political calm, rationality, and a laser-like focus on protecting the kingdom's own borders, sovereignty, and interests. In a pointed column published on Sunday, August 31, commentator Hussein Al-Rawashdeh called for Jordan to "hold its political breath" and refrain from emotional or impulsive responses to regional turmoil.
In his analysis for the Ad-Dustour newspaper, Al-Rawashdeh contends that the old "Arab system" no longer exists, leaving each nation to fend for itself. He argues that while diplomatic engagement is essential, Jordan has no interest in shouldering the historical and present-day burdens of the entire region alone. He cautions against loud calls for war that may emerge in public discourse, stating that while such a choice is respected if necessary, "reality has other calculations." The region, he writes, is in the grip of a "surplus of power," with Washington managing conflicts and their political outcomes.
Al-Rawashdeh proposes a two-pronged strategy for Jordan: an "inward turn" to strengthen the domestic front and an "outward turn" to recalibrate foreign relations. This external pivot would involve "political engagement" while simultaneously distancing the country from epicenters of conflict. The goal, he explains, is to prevent Jordan from becoming entangled in major issues that lie beyond its capabilities. He suggests that while concessions may be necessary outside its borders, the one non-negotiable is to avoid gambling with the country's future under any pretext.
The writer also points to the severe economic consequences of Jordan being perceived as a nation in peril. "We placed our country before the world in an image of 'we are in danger' as if we were at war," he states, lamenting that the result has been economic losses and a decline in tourism. He calls for state institutions and political forces to speak frankly with the Jordanian people about the coming challenges.
In his conclusion, Al-Rawashdeh emphasizes that the coming phase requires vigilance, national unity, and a deep understanding of the "unprecedented earthquakes" shaking the region. He calls for a new national discourse, agreed upon by all, that transparently balances the country's desires with its capabilities and its priorities with its regional role, ensuring stability remains the ultimate benchmark for all decisions.
Photo: Generated by Gemini AI.