Troubles on the East Bank
Challenges to the Domestic Stability of Jordan

Satloff argues rightly that Americans see Jordan exclusively in reference to its relations with Israel. This not only reduces a complex reality to one dimension but prohibits an understanding even of that dimension. In a brief but authoritative survey, Satloff takes up the role in Jordan of economic problems, fundamentalist Islam, the tribes, and the succession issue. He concludes with a glance at the peace process and proposes hardheaded suggestions for U.S. policy. A picture of political fragility emerges; many things that could have gone wrong have not, but they may in the future — and soon. Satloff believes King Husayn's best chance lies in taking a firm stand; either stick with the tribal leaders, landowners, and traditionalist religious leaders who have supported him for decades or switch to the technocrats, businessmen, and Palestinians who can transform Jordan into a modern country. Trying to satisfy both these groups, he implies, is likely to lead to unrest.