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The Middle East is plagued by multiple points of instability and increasing complexity in regional crises. Since the 1990s, widespread social unrest, exemplified by the Arab Spring uprisings, has swept across several countries, including Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria. Conflicts in nations such as Yemen and Iraq have got worse due to the exploitation of ethnic and sectarian divisions. The expansion of jihadist groups, such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS, has contributed to regional instability. Inconsistent US policies and the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict have created further uncertainty. Despite regional turmoil, Jordan stands out as a beacon of stability, earning recognition as one of the most peaceful Arab nations. This stability has been achieved at a significant cost, with numerous compromises and concessions.

Following Jordan’s declaration of independence after World War II, the country faced challenges from neighbouring Israel, culminating in the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. This conflict sowed seeds of regional instability but also led to an influx of Palestinian refugees who became Jordanian citizens. This demographic shift compelled Jordan to re-examine its national identity.

Jordan’s journey to building a national identity was challenging, particularly with Israel as a stubborn neighbour. In the 1950s and 1960s, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s socialist ideas threatened the Hashemite family’s rule. King Hussein demonstrated determination to steer Jordan through turbulent times, transforming the country from chaos to peace and order.

From Transjordan to Jordan and the Turbulent Period in the 1950s and 1960s

Jordan’s journey to independence was remarkable. Following World War II, Transjordan gained formal independence from Britain, thanks to Emir Abdullah’s efforts. Abdullah was born into a family with deep roots in the region’s history, being the son of Hussein bin Ali from the esteemed Banu Hashemite clan. The Hashemites’ strong ties to Britain resulted in a great deal of British influence, particularly within the military. British officers were responsible for commandeering the Arab Legion, Jordan’s combat police force. When the United Nations decided to divide Palestine into areas with Arab and Jewish people, Jordan had a big problem.

King Abdullah’s declaration of war against Israel was complex, given his private friendly relations with Zionist leaders. The war was disastrous for the alliance, with Israel winning land that had been given to them by the UN and 60% of the land meant for an Arab settlement. Despite this setback, Jordan continued to establish itself on both banks of the Jordan River and was officially renamed in 1949.

A unique move at the time was the country’s decision to grant Palestinian refugees full citizenship rights. Even though this decision wasn’t widely known, it had a big effect on Jordan’s domestic and foreign policies. Furthermore, the influx of Palestinian refugees significantly increased Jordan’s population, with East Jerusalem’s population growing to 46,700 Arabs by 1952. King Abdullah’s leadership was cut short when he was assassinated in 1951, as Jordan continued to navigate the complexities of regional politics. This assassination led to a period of uncertainty and ultimately paved the way for his son Talal to ascend to the throne, and later, his grandson Hussein.

Talal bin Abdullah’s reign as King of Jordan was marked by a significant achievement: the establishment of the country’s contemporary constitution in 1952. This move transformed Jordan into a constitutional monarchy, a major milestone in the country’s history. However, Talal’s reign was also cut short due to his struggles with mental health. He was forced to abdicate the throne in 1952 due to his struggles with schizophrenia, and his son Hussein took over as the new King of Jordan. Talal lived the remainder of his life in a sanatorium in Istanbul, where he died on July 7, 1972.

A regency council governed Jordan until Hussein came of age and took the reins. King Hussein’s ascension to the throne at just 17 years old was a pivotal moment in Jordan’s history. He became known as the “boy king,” facing immense challenges as he navigated the complexities of the Hashemite government, which was under threat from various forces. Meanwhile, Gamal Abdel Nasser’s rise to power in Egypt added to the pressure, as he sought to revolutionize the Arab world and challenge traditional monarchies in the Middle East. Hussein found himself entangled in the Cold War, with the United States and the Soviet Union vying for influence in the region. The region’s strategic location, vital communication links, and significant oil wealth made it a crucial area amidst escalating Cold War tensions.

King Hussein’s decision to distance Jordan from the Baghdad Pact was a calculated move to address growing unrest among his people. The pact, formed in 1955, aimed to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East, but Jordan’s association with it was perceived as anti-Nasserist, which clashed with the prevalent Arab nationalist and socialist ideologies. Asserting Jordan’s independence and sovereignty and reducing its reliance on Britain were Hussein’s top priorities. For this, he renamed the Arab Legion the Jordanian Armed Forces and changed the Jordanian Army’s command structure, firing British officer General John Bagot Glubb.

The aftermath of the Baghdad Pact decision led to significant challenges and conflicts in Jordan. Hussein’s relationship with Prime Minister Suleiman Nabulsi was short-lived due to their conflicting ideologies. Nabulsi favoured closer ties with Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser, while Hussein preferred to maintain Jordan’s alignment with the Western camp.

The conflict escalated into instances of mutiny within the Jordanian army, with Nasserist ideology adherents rebelling against their superior officers. Hussein’s decisive action against the military rebellion in Zerqa on April 13, 1957, marked a pivotal moment in Jordan’s history. He implemented martial law, which remained in place for over three decades, until 1989, and disbanded Palestinian-dominated military units and banned political parties, consolidating his power. After Egypt and Syria formed the United Arab Republic in 1958, Hussein and his cousin, King Faisal II of Iraq, made the Arab Federation. However, the Arab Federation was short-lived, as a military coup in Iraq led by Brigadier Abd al-Karim Qasim overthrew the Hashemite monarchy, killing King Faisal II.

Hussein’s attempts to maintain good relations with Israel were met with opposition from his senior officers and many Jordanians, who preferred closer ties with Egyptian President Nasser. This decision ultimately led to significant losses for Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War. The war had a profound impact on Jordan, resulting in the loss of the West Bank to Israel, the displacement of a large portion of its predominantly Palestinian population, and a massive refugee crisis. Approximately 300,000 Palestinian refugees fled to Jordanian cities, putting a significant strain on Jordan’s resources and infrastructure.

King Hussein faced another significant challenge with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) movement, which was launching attacks on Israel from Jordan. This put Jordan at risk of Israeli retaliation and created tension within the country. The PLO had established a “state within a state” in Jordan, defying local rules and engaging in armed conflict. A critical juncture in the conflict between Israel and the PLO occurred in March 1968 with the Battle of Karameh. Israeli troops launched an assault on the town of Karameh, but were met with strong resistance from Jordanian forces. This confrontation boosted Jordan’s national pride and became a symbol of resistance against Israeli aggression.

Tensions escalated, and in September 1970, the conflict culminated in a civil war known as Black September. The Jordanian army, led by King Hussein, fought against the PLO, led by Yasser Arafat. Within two weeks, the Jordanian troops emerged victorious, driving the PLO out of Amman. By the summer of 1971, all PLO members had been expelled from Jordan and relocated to Lebanon.

How King Hussein brought peace to Jordan

King Hussein played a crucial role in bringing peace to Jordan through his efforts as a mediator in Middle Eastern politics. Following the 1973 war between Egypt, Syria, and Israel, King Hussein’s position as a mediator was solidified. One of King Hussein’s most significant achievements was his decision to conclude a peace treaty with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The UN General Assembly’s recognition of the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974 further solidified King Hussein’s position. However, King Hussein’s stance on the Palestinian issue shifted in 1988, when he unilaterally disengaged from all legal and administrative ties with the West Bank. This decision allowed the Palestinians to establish their own autonomous state.

King Hussein’s introduction of the Jordan National Charter in 1989 marked a significant turning point in Jordan’s history. The charter outlined Jordan’s transition towards greater democracy and set rules for political activity in the Kingdom. The charter’s impact was profound, serving as a catalyst for Jordan’s prosperous economic growth.

Conclusion

King Hussein’s legacy is a testament to his remarkable leadership and vision. He successfully navigated the complex web of Arab-Israeli conflict and Cold War politics, brokering a historic peace treaty with Israel in 1994. This treaty marked the end of a 46-year conflict between Jordan and Israel, laying the foundation for Jordan’s current stability. Economic development, education, and healthcare were the primary objectives of King Hussein during his 47-year reign. Living standards increased significantly as a result of his efforts, with notable improvements in infant mortality, literacy rates, and access to essential services.

King Hussein adeptly balanced the demands of various stakeholders, including Arab nationalists, the Soviet Union, Western nations, and Israel. He transformed Jordan into a stable and modern nation, and his legacy continues to shape Jordan’s trajectory.

Today, Jordan remains a beacon of stability and moderation in the Middle East, thanks to King Hussein’s enduring impact. Its economy continues to show resilience, with a focus on innovation, market expansion, and diversification. King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein has carried on his father’s vision, ensuring Jordan’s continued prosperity and stability.