Jordan’s King Faces a Bind as He Meets With Trump

Jordan’s King Abdullah II is finding himself in a difficult position as he prepares to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House. The meeting comes at a crucial time for Jordan, a key ally in the Middle East, as it grapples with a number of pressing issues, including the ongoing conflict in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the growing influence of Iran in the region.

One of the main issues facing King Abdullah is the Trump administration’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there. This move has been deeply unpopular in Jordan, where the majority of the population is of Palestinian descent and considers East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future Palestinian state. King Abdullah has been a vocal critic of the decision, warning that it could lead to increased violence in the region and derail the peace process.

At the same time, Jordan relies heavily on the United States for military and economic aid, and the Trump administration has been a strong supporter of the kingdom, particularly in its efforts to combat terrorism and stabilize the region. King Abdullah will have to strike a delicate balance between expressing his displeasure over the Jerusalem decision and maintaining the close relationship with the US.

Another issue that is likely to be on the agenda during the meeting is the conflict in Syria. Jordan has been deeply affected by the war, hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and facing security threats from extremist groups operating in the region. The king will likely seek assurances from Trump that the US will continue to support Jordan in its efforts to address these challenges and stabilize the situation in Syria.

Finally, the growing influence of Iran in the region is a major concern for Jordan and its allies in the Gulf. The Trump administration has taken a hard line against Iran, imposing sanctions and pulling out of the nuclear deal. King Abdullah will likely seek US support in countering Iran’s influence and ensuring regional stability.

Overall, the meeting between King Abdullah and President Trump is likely to be a challenging one, as the king navigates between his country’s interests and the demands of its powerful ally. It remains to be seen how the two leaders will address these issues and whether they can find common ground on the key issues facing the region.