A historic visit

The recent visit of His Majesty King Abdullah to Washington was obviously not the first, neither for certain will it be the last, but so far it is the most important. By all standards it was historic.

Occurring at a time when the situation in our region continues to worsen, with alarming prospects for the deterioration to accelerate, the King’s visit agenda must have been packed.

Despite matters of urgency and significance, bilateral issues alone did not top the Jordanian-American summit talks. King Abdullah headed to Washington mainly to address regional issues: the situation in Syria and Iraq; the rise of extremist currents and terrorism in this region and Africa as well; the chaotic Libyan scene, the intensifying attacks of Daesh and other religious fanatics; and, most importantly, the Arab-Israeli conflict, which His Majesty has relentlessly been warning is the source of all instability and violence.

King Abdullah headed to the American capital to speak on behalf of all Arabs and all Muslims. He did not go there to seek advice but to offer some. The King’s credibility is not just due to his expert analysis of the region’s predicament, his courage or his clarity of vision on how an effective strategy for confronting growing terror and extremism can be globally forged; rather it been steadily enhanced by the example his leadership offered at home. Although surrounded by trouble from every direction, Jordan remains uniquely stable, secure and safe. The process of reform in the determined Kingdom continues despite mounting responsibilities, imported burdens and strained economic means. It is this Jordanian model that is now recognised, not only by the many important American political leaders who recently listened to the King’s analysis and assessment, but worldwide as well; recognised as the right model for the region. In fact Jordan’s stability has for many decades been seen as key to regional stability.

Without doubt the global strategy for dealing with the swift rise of terrorism and extremism in the Middle East, the near collapse of the state in Syria, Libya and Yemen, as well as the mounting challenges facing the government of Iraq as a result of the territorial advances made by the so-called Islamic State, has proven to be hardly effective. This left many of the world powers that committed to confront and defeat this new wave of vicious terror stunned and bewildered.

King Abdullah’s visit to Washington, his important meeting with President Barack Obama, his talks with US Vice President Joe Biden, his many other meetings and discussions with congressional leaders, and his extensive interviews with major media outlets, have clarified the hitherto blurred picture. The very detailed conversation with Charlie Rose of CBS, published and aired widely, is a specific blueprint that should guide every future action. It includes a bold diagnosis of all regional issues and troubles. It is not the kind of interview that should only be read. It is an important political guide.

Fully convinced of the accuracy of the King’s guidelines and proposed strategies, many of those leaders went out to loudly applaud the role of the Monarch — described by many as “the only credible and wise voice from the region” — in sorting out the procedures and surging ahead with renewed resolve to face the challenges uncompromisingly. And recognising Jordan’s crucial role in the task ahead, defined by the King as partly military, partly security and partly ideological, aid for the Kingdom to cope with both humanitarian and security burdens was increased. That will undoubtedly help, but hardly enough. Other assistance must be considered if this effort is to show quick and concrete results.

During the visit, King Abdullah made sure to emphasise once again that the Arab-Israeli conflict remains a primary source for all the region’s woes and should be addressed seriously and effectively. He left no doubt in anyone’s mind that this decades-old conflict is regularly feeding radicalisation and extremism, both of which generate violence and terror. In the King’s view, the moves by some world powers to recognise the envisaged Palestinian state is mainly attributed to those states’ fear of terrorism moving right into their midst by their young nationals who join the extremist fighters in our region. He strongly urged everyone to join efforts to resolve this conflict. 

By any standards, the King’s visit to Washington was crowned with more than one success, for both Jordan and the region. It further reaffirmed the position of this country on the map of very effective world powers. At the same time, it placed major responsibilities on us and we have to courageously face them, but we should not be left to face them alone.