On Jordan

Analyst Abdullah Hayek joins the podcast to discuss the motivations for the Jordanian government's crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood. Hayek discusses whether the Islamic Action Front will be allowed to run in future elections and whether foreign nations influenced Amman in its ban. Finally, Hayek addresses how the Jordanian public perceived the restrictions against the Muslim Brotherhood.

Aaron Magid discusses his new book titled "The Most American King: Abdullah of Jordan" in a special episode. Danny Stoker, a Professor of Middle East History at Brigham Young University, joins the podcast to ask Aaron questions about the King Abdullah biography. Aaron discusses why the key themes of the book along with the meaning behind the book's title. The book can be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-American-King-Abdullah-Jordan/dp/1599427788

Dr. Saud al-Sharafat, a former brigadier general in the Jordan General Intelligence (GID), joins the podcast to discuss his 29-year career in the agency. Sharafat, who also serves as the chairman of the Shorufat Center for Globalization and Terrorism Studies, views the GID's relationship with the CIA. He details which country is the GID's top adversary and highlights a misconception some Jordanians have about the GID. Finally, Sharafat responds to reports of GID intervention in domestic Jordanian politics.

Merissa Khurma, the Wilson Center's Middle East Program Director, joins the podcast to discuss how the Jordanian government reacted to the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Khurma, a former office director for Prince Ali, analyzes Jordan's relationship with the new Syrian administration. She details how the Jordanian public has responded to the overthrow of Assad's regime. Finally, Khurma addresses the Jordanian government's campaign to normalize ties with Assad in the previous few years.

Professor Hasan Al-Momani, Dean of the Prince Al-Hussein Bin Abdullah II School of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Jordan, joins the podcast to discuss Jordan's Air Force downing Iranian drones in April. Dr. Al-Momani explains how the Jordanian public responded to the incident and analyzes the Hashemite Kingdom's summoning of an Iranian diplomat. Finally, he examines the statement by Kataib Hezbollah— an Iran-backed militia— pledging to send weapons to 12,000 fighters inside Jordan.