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Jordan in a Changing Regional and International Enviornment

     During the second decade of this century, the region spanning the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, and from Morocco to Turkey, had witnessed a state of extreme polarization and intense conflict among competing regional axes. This accompanied and followed the “Arab Spring” revolutions and uprisings. The number of states involved in wars, divisions and civil conflicts has increased, as has the number of failed states or those that are on the verge of failure. The roles of non-state actors have risen in various countries and communities throughout the region. The threat of terrorism has increased, as has the frequency of direct military interventions in regional and international capitals, coupled with the proliferation of foreign military bases in Syria, Iraq, the banks of the Arab Gulf, the Red Sea, northern Africa and other countries.

      It would become clear to the major players in the region after ten years of heavy losses inflicted upon states and societies -which have become proxy arenas for the disputes of competing axes- that the “military solution” is more difficult and costly than any compromise that can be reached. Also, the risks associated with these conflicts approaching the brink of disaster would be difficult to bear, especially since the economies of most states have suffered an immense toll due to the COVID pandemic. Accordingly, with the start of the third decade, we are witnessing the start of a transformation in the positions and tendencies of the region’s states.  

       It can be stated that Jordan has been harmed more than other states within the region due to the polarization among disputing regional axes. Accordingly, the management of its foreign relations has become considerably more difficult and it is no exaggeration to say that it is somewhat restricted to the calculations of these axes and major powers. Consequently, Jordan has lost markets and resources that it is in dire need of. Geopolitics has situated Jordan in the midst of major actors in the region, and the crises surrounding Jordan have cast their long shadow on Jordan’s political role and its economic and commercial interests. The state of regional “fluidity” will relieve Jordanian diplomatic performance which has become more active and varied recently.

    This two-day conference will thoroughly examine new challenges that have affected Jordan in the region, but also the new opportunities that have arisen with new and potential regional and international cooperation and how Jordan can invest in them. For more information on the topics that will be addressed throughout the conference, the agenda can be found on the right side of the page. 

This conference is by invitation only.