Historically, Jordan has played a wider regional role as part of the security order in the Gulf States and as a main player in the Arab-Israeli conflict building on its strong ties with the West. However, there are new dynamics in the region. With the rise of the Gulf States there is no longer the need for Jordanian support. Meanwhile, Israel is not paying the same attention to the role of Jordan as it did previously because of the systematic shift in Israel towards the right. Consequently, changing priorities in the Gulf and Israel have led to changes in and challenges to Jordan’s geopolitical and strategic role, especially as developments, such as the Abraham Accords, have shifted the focus to other regional players. This reflects a wider regional dynamic in which we are witnessing a movement away from a confrontational approach between separate camps to one of fluidity between conflicting axes.

The discussion with Oraib Rantawi will seek to cover how Jordan can maintain its role in a changing regional environment, considering the role of Jordanian domestic challenges and questions of the priorities on the Jordanian foreign and defence policy agenda.

Oraib Rantawi is the founder and director general of the Amman-based Al Quds Center for Political Studies and an established writer and columnist. He has authored and edited several strategic studies and organized and participated in seminars and conferences in Jordan and internationally. He is also a frequent commentator and analyst on television and has produced his own show “Qadaya wa Ahdath” (Issues and Events).

Gudrun Harrer, Senior Editor at Der Standard, Lecturer on Modern History and Politics of the Middle East, University of Vienna and Diplomatic Academy of Vienna

Oraib Rantawi: JORDAN – GEOPOLITICAL AND STRATEGIC ROLE IN A CHANGING MIDDLE EAST Challenges and Opportunities