Jordan is foolish to antagonize Israel

Submitted by Dave (United States), Jun 23, 2020 at 17:11

Jordan has some real vulnerabilities: lack of oil wealth, the Islamist threat (which so far has been suppressed or appeased), and worst of all, proximity to an emerging and dangerous Iran-Iraq superstate.
Reading the news, one can see a trend of increasing Iranian influence and violence in Iraq. After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, a useful madman who functioned as a kind of Sunni Arab check on Shiite Iran, the majority Shiite population in Iraq has become ever more influential. Of course, they all don't want to be beholden to the Mullahs, but the possibility is there, and things could deteriorate rapidly should the US become even more detached internationally. If the Democrats take the White House, Iran would be able to exploit their tendency to appease. Sanctions would probably be lifted to rescue the nuke deal, and weapon's development would take off.
Just imagine: Iran-Iraq united under the most ruthless Islamists on the planet, armed with all kinds of advanced missiles and even nukes. Jordan would look very tempting to them, being no match militarily. And no amount of anti-Jewish, anti-Zionist propaganda would impress the power-hungry Mullahs - everybody hates the Jews in that holier-than-thou crowd anyway.
If, and when may not be too far off, things continue to devolve, Jordan's quaint monarchy would be well-advised to try and make nice with Israel. Their survival may depend on it.

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