A History Of Jordan

An accessible introduction to the political history of Jordan, including new material on the major events of the last decade.

Few states in the modern world have had a less promising birth than Jordan. Today against all the odds, it has become one of the most prosperous and stable of Middle Eastern countries and a major player in the region's politics. This book attempts to expla

Publisher Description

Ancient and suggestive Country, where history has left majestic marks of its passage. A varied and spectacular landscape that ranges from the Jordan Valley to the hills, from the mountains to the desert, to the sandy shores of the Red Sea. And then the large and lively Amman, the Castles of the Desert, and the splendid Petra, the "Red Rose City", one of the seven New Wonders of the World. All this is Jordan, a Country to discover, which this book illustrates and reveals thanks to detailed texts and splendid images.

Very little has been written about the 1929-1939 history of Trans-Jordan-a decade of importance in the history of its struggle for independence and sovereignty, its progress and development, its relations with Palestine and the neighboring Arab countries, and the new awakening of Arab nationalism. During the 1930s, although still under the mandate of the League of Nations (which was entrusted to Great Britain), Trans-Jordan began to develop an international presence. The people remained very poor however, and the government was supported by a grant-in-aid from the British government. The British Resident in Amman, Col. Henry Cox, used that grant-in-aid as a justification for his financial and political control over the new mandated state, which limited its sovereignty. At this time, Great Britain had the largest empire on earth. Her wealth and power, as well as the survival of her empire, depended mainly on her ability to defend her trade routes with her overseas colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories. The Amir Abdullah Ibn al Husain wanted to take Trans-Jordan back from Great Britain and develop it into an independent state. This book examines the decade of that struggle.

A telling history of one of the most important relationships in the Middle East This is the first book to tell the remarkable story of the relationship between Jordan and the United States and how their leaders have navigated the dangerous waters of the most volatile region in the world. Jordan has been an important ally of the United States for more than seventy years, thanks largely to two members of the Hashemite family: King Hussein, who came to power at the age of 17 in 1952 and governed for nearly a half-century, and his son, King Abdullah, who inherited the throne in 1999. Both survived numerous assassination attempts, wars, and plots by their many enemies in the region. Both ruled with a firm hand but without engaging in the dictatorial extremes so common to the region. American presidents from Eisenhower to Biden have worked closely with the two Hashemite kings to maintain peace and stability in the region—when possible. The relationship often has been rocky, punctuated by numerous crises, but in the end, it has endured and thrived. Long-time Middle East expert Bruce Riedel tells the story of the U.S.-Jordanian relationship with his characteristic insight, flair, and eye for telling details. For anyone interested in the region, understanding this story will provide new insights into the Arab-Israeli conflict, the multiple Persian Gulf wars, and the endless quest to bring long-term peace and stability to the region.