King Abdullah’s proactive diplomacy

His Majesty King Abdullah spent the past three weeks on a working tour during which he visited three influential capitals, Moscow, London and Washington DC, as part of his relentless campaign to help bring order to a region, which has been condemned to instability and chaos for limitless intervals.

In Moscow, where the Russian government is deeply involved in the Syrian crisis, King Abdullah conducted crucial discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin with the aim of speeding up the process of a reasonable and a fair political settlement of the six-year-old war that reduced most of the country to rubble.

The larger regional crisis, of which the Syrian chapter is a by-product as well as a permeating cause, is multifaceted, therefore high-level talks between the King and concerned world leaders include the many other components of the troubling Middle Eastern situation.

In addition to Syria, the many challenges on the King’s agenda include the current predicaments in Libya, Yemen and Iraq.

There are other important issues: the war on terrorists; the rise of extremist violent organisations that conduct their barbaric violence in the name of Islam; the mounting refugee problem and its far-reaching consequences on the host countries, mostly Jordan.

In his determined quest, King Abdullah strives to address the urgent need for a regional order, where stable and secure democratic states would live in peace with each other, channelling their energies and potential towards economic progress and constructive development.

Evidently, the century-old Arab-Israeli conflict, a major source of regional strife and instability, is a permanent item on the King’s business agenda.

There is no question that all these matters were emphatically brought up by King Abdullah in his constructive discussions with the Russian, British and American leaders during his latest diplomatic tour.

However, the American part of the recent Royal tour was of particular significance this time.

Neither in Washington nor in the many other world capitals are the King’s consultation a rare occurrence. 

And the Monarch’s continued effort to reduce tensions and reach reasonable settlements to the different conflicts are often matched by equal eagerness on the part of many world leaders, particularly in key capitals, to listen to his advice, his expert analysis, his reasonable assessments as well as his moderate stance on all issues.

Since its creation, Jordan has always been recognised as a moderate, peace-loving, tolerant, diverse, constructive country open to cooperation and friendship with all other countries in all possible areas.

The strength of the King’s mission derives in large part from the successful Jordanian experience, with Jordan enjoying a great deal of political stability, continued progress and relative prosperity despite the huge challenges and responsibilities resulting mainly from the turbulent situation that surrounds the sturdy Hashemite Kingdom.

King Abdullah arrived in Washington just as the new president, Donald Trump, was sworn in.

He was invited to the important annual National Prayer Breakfast in the US capital, often attended by thousands of guests from most world nations.

The timing of the visit could not have been more fitting, whereby the main pillars of the new administration, many of them known to the King already, appreciated listening to a highly honoured and a deeply respected voice of reason coming from the troubled Middle East. 

Renowned for his resolve to lead, rather than wait for events to determine the course of action, King Abdullah seized the initiative without delay. 

During his brief Washington stay, he met with most top new administration officials, beginning with Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Defence James Mattis, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

In addition, King Abdullah held official meetings, together with Her Majesty Queen Rania, with US Congress leaders, the leadership of the House of Representatives and the important Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee.

The King’s talks presented an authentic analysis not only of all the issues of concern, but also of the possible and most practical political solutions to the region’s crises.

As the nature of the relationship between the US and Jordan is strategic, with constant coordination and cooperation in dealing with all related matters, the comprehensive and intensive talks resulted in significant understandings on all of them, with all the King’s hosts appreciating Jordan’s positive role under His Majesty’s wise leadership, not only in keeping Jordan stable and safe, but also in helping regional stability.

The climax of the King’s visit was the National Prayer Breakfast last Thursday, during which the King held direct talks with Trump and again briefed him, as he had done previously, on the dangers of the stalemate between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

He emphasised in particular the dire consequences that would arise from any change in the status quo of Jerusalem, such as the relocation of the US embassy and the serious implications of the continued construction of Jewish settlements on the land earmarked for the future Palestinian state.

King Abdullah also briefed the president on the crises in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen, and the war on radical extremists, who claim to commit their atrocities in the name of Islam but are no more than dissident outlaws who have no relationship with the noble faith.

Muslims, the King repeatedly affirmed, have suffered from the actions of such ruthless radicals and have been targeted as well.

Shortly afterwards, as a result of the King’s counsel, according to The New York Times, the White House criticised Israel’s new settlement construction plans, which Israel expected to be condoned.

The King’s keynote address to the large gathering at the National Prayer Breakfast covered every issue regarding the situation in our region.

Furthermore, his explanation of the noble ideals of Islam, the cardinal meaning of the faith, the human values, the compassionate teachings, the peaceful mission and the respectful content could not have been better delivered.

King Abdullah left no stone unturned in diagnosing the complex situation, the dangers, as well as the solutions for an ongoing regional predicament fast turning into a global one.

He left no doubt in anyone’s mind that neither Islam nor the Muslim people are to be blamed for the reprehensible criminal actions of a small dissident minority of outlaws, the “khawarij” as His Majesty rightly calls them.

The King’s triumphant tour was a mission accomplished.

Once more it placed Jordan and the Jordanian role firmly on the world map.

We have every right to be very proud of the King’s unique leadership.