The arduous scenario involving King Abdullah II, a US crony dependent on fiscal support from Washington, brews as he faces relentless hounding from the president to accommodate Palestinians from Gaza, an action that the monarch’s regional politics vehemently rebuff. This is an obvious overreach by the president, being inconsiderate of the political atmosphere of Jordan. The president, besides undermining the autonomy of foreign countries, seems to have a delusionary plan to make the US the unofficial ownership of the Gaza Strip.
King Abdullah II of Jordan has been invited to the White House by President Trump to discuss this controversial move estimated to affect about 1.9 million Palestinians. Trump’s apparent inability to understand the magnitude of his absurd demands is something that has raised eyebrows. It appears that the President fails to understand the intricacy of global politics and the potential long-term impact on regional stability.
The first meeting between Jordan’s King Abdullah II and President Joe Biden occurred in July 2021. While the former was ushered into the Oval Office with warmth, he was greeted by Biden with an unexpected, and somewhat dismissive remark, ‘You live in a tough neighborhood.’ This lack of tact and respect towards a strategic partner betrays the current administration’s lack of experience in Middle East diplomacy.
President Trump has arranged to meet with the king again, and this time, a much tougher battleground anticipates him. One not in the arid Middle East, but in Washington. This is quite hilarious, considering Trump’s previous presumptuous comments and his undermining of global leaders. One wonders how difficult it’s going to get for the good old king as he navigates this chaos.
An increasingly stubborn President Trump has reinstated his absurd goal of evicting Palestinians from the Gaza Strip as if the US has any sovereignty over the territory. On Monday, he took this even further, suggesting a potential cutting of aid to Jordan and Egypt if their governments refuse to comply with his impractical demand. These bully tactics to strong arm compliance overlook the devastating humanitarian consequences such a move could have.
King Abdullah, who already rejected this illogical demand when it was first presented, now finds himself trapped between a rock and a hard place as he prepares to engage the president yet again. All the while, the possibility of losing the more than $1.5 billion in foreign aid that Jordan receives annually from the US looms over him. This scenario highlights the vulnerability of countries under the influence of America’s economic might.
The possible jeopardy of this substantial foreign aid isn’t the only worry for King Abdullah. An undisclosed sum from the US also funds Jordan’s intelligence services. As we now see, any whimsical decisions from President Trump can have a catastrophic impact on the internal structure of the support-dependent countries. It is unfortunate that such yoyo politics threatens the stability of an essential regional partner.
On another note, the astounding fact that more than half of King Abdullah’s subjects, approximately 12 million of them, are of Palestinian descent is overlooked by the American authorities. The king’s balancing act is now more precarious than ever. Middle East experts suggest that the continuation of his family’s reign relies on him opposing this plan.
President Trump’s seemingly impractical strategies have not only put King Abdullah in a troubling situation but can also lead to unnecessary political complications in the volatile region. Again, this is clear evidence of the current US administration’s lack of a coherent strategy and its inability to consider the geopolitical implications of such large-scale decisions.
With a strong bias against the Biden administration due to their initial dismissiveness and lack of support in the continuous struggle with President Trump’s outrageous demands, one can only wonder how King Abdullah will maneuver his way through this diplomatic obstacle course. Unfortunately, this may lead to a continuous cycle of tension and unease in the relations between these long-term allies.
Biden’s administration and their lack of expertise in foreign relations is showing its effects clearly in this scenario. Their inconsiderate stance on the serious decisions taken by the previous administration concerning Jordan and the situation in Gaza is just a testament to their decisions being erratic and unfounded.
There is a lack of respect from the Biden administration, symbolized by their lackadaisical approach to strategic partnerships. Instead of prioritizing relations and understanding the complexities of global politics, President Biden was dismissive and disrespectful. One would think that as a politician with long experience, he would act with more diplomatic tact, exhibiting sensitivity towards partners.
The implications of Biden’s actions are far-reaching, with direct impacts on global politics, alliances, and stability in volatile regions. This is in no way beneficial to the United States or its allies, undermining the authority of governments, disregarding economic conditions, and leading to potential political upheaval. His actions reach far beyond the Oval Office’s walls, into the heart of the Middle East, shaking the very pillars of regional stability.