The Jordanian government is growing increasingly wary of the rising instability and extremism occurring among its neighbor states. On the eastern border, internecine and insurgent violence continue to plague Iraq . To the west, the terrorist organization Hamas is the elected leader of a bankrupt Palestinian Authority (PA) that is governing an increasingly desperate population. North of Jordan, Lebanon?s political disorder and the manipulative interference of Damascus remain the norm. Compounding Jordan?s concern, the clerical regime of Iran has raised its level of involvement and influence across the region. Within this context, a Hamas cell and arms cache?that included Iranian rockets?were uncovered in northern Jordan, raising the ire of Jordan?s King Abdullah (see photo in previous column).
Historically, King Hussein (Abdullah?s father) had condoned, if not supported, Hamas activity as a counter-balance to Fatah and a means of maintaining Jordan?s influence in Palestinian political affairs. This policy was reversed under the newly crowned King Abdullah, who did not share his father?s hatred of Yasser Arafat and his Fatah organization, and feared Jordan?s support for Hamas would undermine the Kingdom?s relations with the US, EU, Israel , and the PA. In August 1999, Hamas was declared an illegal organization and its leadership in Jordan, including Khaled Meshal, was arrested and deported. Jordan, which has signed a peace treaty with Israel, backs the joint decision of the US , EU, UN, and Israel to cease funding the PA until Hamas recognizes Israel and joins the peace process .
On April 19, 2006, Jordanian authorities announced their discovery of a Hamas arms cache that included hand grenades, light anti-tank weapon rocket launchers, machine guns, and Iranian-made Katyusha rockets. Subsequently, there have been 20 related arrests and the aired confessions of three Hamas militants on Jordanian TV. According to information obtained under interrogation, the militants were tasked by the Hamas leadership in Damascus to target members of Jordan?s General Intelligence Department, foreign tourists, and tourist locations. Additionally, the Jordanian government accused Hamas of recruiting militants in Jordan and the Palestinian Territories for more advanced terrorist training in Iran and Syria . In turn, Hamas officials have categorically denied the allegations and believe the militants? confessions were extracted under torture. They contend Jordan has likely drummed up the charges to further ingratiate itself with Israel and the US.
Jordan has opposed Iranian policy since the 1979 overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. King Abdullah is wary of Iran?s efforts to export their revolution and accused Tehran in 2004 of seeking a ?crescent? of influence within Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon; a warning recently echoed more emphatically by Israel and characterized as an ?Axis of Terror? . As a moderate Arab government, American ally, and signatory of a peace treaty with Israel, Jordan is the antithesis of Iran?s vision for the modern Middle East. Amman?s efforts to steer Hamas toward a Palestinian-Israeli peace process clearly conflicts with Tehran?s support for Hamas? combative stance, and the discovery of the Iranian-supplied Hamas arms cache will only exacerbate this tension.
With roughly half of its population comprised of Palestinian refugees from the 1948 and 1967 wars with Israel (and likely sympathetic to Hamas), Jordan?s national security is intricately tied to political developments in the Palestinian Territories. The strengthened relationship between Tehran and Hamas?especially with the leadership residing in Damascus ?further complicates the political environment and threatens Jordan?s interest in regional stability.
