A Better Middle East
Reader comment on item: Support the lesser evil [in Saudi Arabia]

Submitted by Walton Cook (United States), May 31, 2004 at 12:20

You state that the Hashemite kingdom still reigns in Jordan. As the original protectors of the Muslim holy cities, would a better alternative be to return the more moderate and more pro-Western King Abdullah to the throne? Jordan (or part of it) could then be ceded to a new state of Palestine; (Israel wouldn't have to give up so much) Palestininians could return there rather than Israel, and King Abdullah could take up residence in the new nation of Arabia, which would also include the remainder of Jordan. Perhaps the new Arabia would end at the border of Iraq, easing the transition of Iraq to a more secular state.

Does anyone in high places consider such an outcome?

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