Ill advised and counterproductive

As if the list of Bashar Assad’s enemies were not already overloaded, he needed to top it up by adding Jordan to it.

By levelling unfounded and unjustified accusations against Jordan on the basis of pure hearsay, Assad is committing a grave mistake that will reflect badly on his critical situation.

But by denying the existence of stable, safe, secure and democratic Jordan as a state, he is showing that he is deeply detached from striking historical realities all around.

That the Syrian president is ungrateful for an Arab neighbour that has been extending every possible help to enable Syria to exit the cycle of destruction and violence without suffering fragmentation is not unexpected.

That has been the case all along. 

But while sinking deeply in a continuing war with massive destruction, enormous loss of life and destitution of about half the population of the country, one finds it difficult to understand the logic behind antagonising Jordan; a country that opened its borders to more than a million refugee from Syria to help alleviate mounting humanitarian tragedies.

Despite persistent conspiracy theories regarding clandestine international or superpower schemes to partition Syria (or Iraq), with regional power help, it has never been the case that Jordan — often mentioned as partner of such plans — ever contemplated any territorial gains at the expense of the misery of its Arab neighbours.

No amount of Jordanian detail was ever enough to put an end to such foolish fantasies.

It has been a firm Jordanian policy principle never to intervene in others’ internal affairs or to take sides in any regional or domestic crisis other than, when appropriate, offering good offices and helpful mediation.

With respect to the Syrian crisis, the Jordanian position was constantly clear, consistent and transparent.

Jordan has been calling right from the beginning that the Syrian crisis be resolved politically, not militarily, and that Syria remain strong and united as a democracy for all its people.

His Majesty King Abdullah has repeatedly warned against the disintegration of the Syrian state, a recipe, if it ever happens, for endless chaos and war.

It is for that reason that Jordan has joined the war on terror, precisely to combat the strong terrorist groups that control large areas of Syria — and Iraq — and pose a serious threat.

It is true that Jordan, as an active member of the international community, coordinates with other influential powers towards the realisation of commonly agreed goals, but Jordan does not receive orders.

Right on the contrary, the advice of the King, his assessment of the dangerous situation in our region, as well as his proposed remedial solutions are always sought in major world capitals and international fora, for being the voice of wisdom, impartiality and reason.

Conspiracy theories have been circulating all the time, but they are becoming a thriving business with much interest demonstrated by curious crowds hungry for change and excitement.

No amount of denial, or proven invalidity of such theories, was able to put an end to such imaginary speculation.

The Jordanian experiment should in fact be a good example for countries in trouble to follow.

Despite mounting challenges, scarce resources, huge burdens magnified by neighbouring crises and a continuous influx of refugees, Jordan managed to remain safe, secure and a politically stable democracy thanks to the wisdom of its Hashemite leadership.

If our goal, as an Arab family, is to build a strong and prosperous region that provides dignified life for all its citizens in all its member states, as well as good government, equality, justice, respect and freedom, then we should direct all efforts to building the countries in need to develop their democratic institutions rather than undermine successful examples.

Regardless, Jordan remains committed to peaceful, lawful and fair settlements of all the Arab crises, Syria’s in particular.

Jordan will do all it needs to protect its borders, but will not cross them.