The future of Syrian - Jordanian relations
Regional, Analysis, 4/26/1999

After a long period of cold relations between Syria and Jordan, the leaders of the two neighboring states met in Damascus to open a new page in relations between them.

President Al-Assad extended a hand of reconciliation to the Jordanian leadership, and King Abdullah visited Damascus for a summit opening the way for a new path to relations between the two neighboring Arab states whose population, culture, and history is one, yet whose politics had diverged notably.

Jordan, mired in political squabbles with its Arab neighbors, has geography providing little natural resources and fertile land, a small population that is not homogeneous (hosting a large Palestinian population), and a small economy, resulting in a small military in a very unstable area surrounded by much bigger powers and in giving Jordan its political orientation.

One can do little about population size, or the weather or natural resources, and the management of economy is subject to many complicated factors that are difficult to manage for newly-founded and developing countries without sustained and prolonged efforts that require outside help, something that few countries have been fortunate to have. One also cannot change the history of a country.

That leaves "political squabbling" as the remaining controllable factor that has been most readily at play in shaping the political orientation of Jordan. Jordan, bordered by Syria, Iraq and Israel, has had a difficult task in trying to protect itself from Israel, while having to deal with two much bigger brothers in Syria and Iraq, who as most big brothers, feel a need to be in control. It is not simply a matter of control, as the region's boundaries have been drawn in an artificial way separating people who were one. Also, Syria and Iraq had concerns about Jordan being a front-line

Previous Stories:
  On al-Assad - King Abdullah summit   (4/23/1999)
  Al-Assad, King Abdullah conclude talks in Damascus   (4/23/1999)
  Damascus: We seek comprehensive coordination with Amman, not new axis   (4/21/1999)
  Report: Issue of Jordanian detainees to be settled in Syria   (4/19/1999)
  Jordan stresses cooperation with Syria to build al-Wahda dam, finance a problem   (4/9/1999)
  Jordanian premier: If you love Syria, I adore it   (3/23/1999)
  Syria announces mourning on King Hussein's death, postpones referendum   (2/8/1999)

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