Jordan has effectively declared war on the terrorist organization, joining a US-backed

anti-ISIS coalition and ramping up airstrikes on ISIS camps in neighboring Syria. This has

been quite an undertaking for Jordan, as the country is already housing more than 600 thousand

Syrian refugees and has struggled with a fragile economy. So, just how powerful is Jordan?

Well, Jordan is a relatively small country in the Middle East. At nearly 35 thousand

square miles, the country is about the size of the US state of Maine. Jordan is also home

to just above eight million people, considerably less than its populous neighbors, Iraq and

Saudi Arabia. Although their ruler, King Abdullah the second, has limited power under the country’s

constitutional monarchy, he directly or indirectly controls much of the judicial and executive

branches, leaving the country far from democratic.

In spite of his sweeping powers, King Abdullah has contributed to Jordan’s relatively stable

and well diversified economy. In the early 2000s, Abdullah spearheaded a series of economic

reforms, including expanding international trade and privatizing state-owned enterprises.

This has resulted in a steadily growing GDP, which today amounts to roughly $36 billion

dollars.

Unlike much of the Middle East, Jordan is lacking in lucrative natural resources, like

oil and natural gas. That leaves its economy heavily reliant on imports and remittances.

However, Jordan does produce an array of goods, including potassium fertilizer, tomatoes and

knit sweaters. Tourism has also been one of Jordan’s selling points, as the country

is known to be among the safest in the Middle East. However the industry has taken a plunge

in recent years due to political turmoil in the region. Jordan’s economy also suffers

from chronically high rates of poverty, unemployment, public debt and corruption. As a result, much

of the country’s youth grow to be frustrated and disillusioned, and, seeing little opportunity,

join radical militant groups. According to a report by Mercy Corps, ISIS alone has recruited

an estimated 25 hundred Jordanians.

Considering their small population and fragile economy, Jordan’s military is actually quite

impressive. The country boasts a military of roughly 175 thousand and a defense budget

of one-and-a-half billion dollars, or about four percent of its GDP. Jordan’s army is

reportedly well-trained, professional and modern, and the country enjoys military support

from the US, the United Kingdom and France, who likely have an interest in Jordan’s

proximity to war-torn regions. Jordan’s military has relied on subsidies from these

alliances for decades The US alone has contributed nearly $16 billion dollars in military and

economic aid to Jordan since the 1950s. Jordan also benefits from its membership in the Arab

League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Jordan’s relative stability and strong military is likely why countries like the US, Israel

and Saudi Arabia have teamed up with the country to fight extremist groups in the region. Although

the country is not without problems, Jordan’s growing economy and efficient military makes

it an attractive ally to neighboring countries in the Middle East and elsewhere.

King Abdullah has had a huge role in shaping Jordan into the country it is today. Learn

more about how powerful the King is by watching the video at the top. But while King Abdullah

is in power, ISIS is proving to be a huge problem for the Middle Eastern nation. Can

Jordan defeat the terrorist group? Find out in the video at the bottom. Thanks for watching

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