US Troops 'Hit', F-35s 'Damaged' As Iran Rains Cluster Missiles On two American Air Bases in Jordan

Bad news! Serious stuff these cluster munitions! Currently available defenses are expensive!

(255) US Troops 'Hit', F-35s 'Damaged' As Iran Rains Cluster Missiles On American Air Base | Vantage | 4K - YouTube

King Abdullah of Jordan Predicted Iran’s Two Decades Of Expansionism in 2004. Really!

Is the King of Jordan (since 1999, age 64) out of touch with reality?

First of all, Saddam Hussein of Iraq was a menace like Ayatollah Khomeini and the theocratic dictatorship in Iran. Two evil regimes side by side. So if the king of Jordan argues that the US "upended the regional balance of power" is disingenuous at best!

That the Iraqi people and other Arab countries (like Jordan) were unable or failed to establish a robust democracy in Iraq to counter rogue regimes like Iran after the fall of Hussein is there fault!

Caveat I did not read the whole article.

King Abdullah Predicted Iran’s Two Decades Of Expansionism "The U.S. invasion of Iraq and the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan upended the regional balance of power. The Islamic Republic spent the next two decades taking advantage."

King Abdullah

Pentagon identifies two American soldiers killed in Iranian attack in Jordan

Among them a very young woman and soldier!

Welcome to the age of gender equality! Pardon my sarcasm in this case! But in future wars we will probably see more war casualties among female soldiers.

"... The active-duty soldiers were killed during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan. ..."

Pentagon identifies American soldiers killed in Iranian attack in Jordan

Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, left, and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, right, were killed in action on July 17 and July 18, respectively. (U.S. Army)

Israel conditions Jordan water supply on softened rhetoric, fueling new crisis

Serious stuff! Many wars were fought over water rights! I hope this will not escalate and Benjamin Netanyahu will not make a mistake here.

Jordan has been a good neighbor to Israel for decades, if I am not mistaken! Plus, Jordan risked a lot to be a good neighbor to Israel.

"... After a series of extensions, Jerusalem conditioned the resumption of supply on Amman softening its rhetoric on Israel and on the thawing of relations, which grew increasingly hostile over the course of the Israel-Hamas war. ..."

Israel conditions Jordan water supply on softened rhetoric, fueling new crisis | The Jerusalem Post "The 1994 peace treaty signed by Amman and Jerusalem required Israel to supply Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of water annually, an amount doubled in a 2021 commitment that expired in 2025."

Trump admin labels Muslim Brotherhood branches in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt as terrorist organizations

Is this designation not several decades overdue?

"... The departments of Treasury and State announced the actions against the Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they said pose a risk to U.S. interests, The Associated Press reported.

The State Department designated the Muslim Brotherhood's Lebanese branch a foreign terrorist organization, the most severe of the labels, making it a criminal offense to provide material support to the group. The Treasury Department listed the Jordanian and Egyptian branches as specially designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas. ..."

Trump admin labels Muslim Brotherhood branches in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt as terrorist organizations | Just The News "“These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilization wherever it occurs,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said"

LIVE: PM Modi receives a warm welcome from the Indian community in Jordan

Amazing! However, the same short scenes was repeated over and over again in this official video of the Prime Minister. Includes also some Indian dance scenes.

India's PM Modi’s West Asia Visit: Jordan, Ethiopia, Oman with Palki Sharma

Good news! India, a rising superpower!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Jordan

Good news! Bravo! India a rising superpower in West Asia as well. It was said this is the first full visit of a Indian Prime Minister to Jordan.

What It’s Like To Be a female Women’s Rights Activist in Jordan, but progress is being made

Good news!

Caveat: I did not read the whole article!

"... Social, economic, and cultural barriers continue to impact women’s lives in Jordan, but a new generation is increasingly emboldened to challenge patriarchal norms. Activists like Sumreen have noticed the shift as stronger laws, greater representation, and a deeper understanding of women’s rights reshape society. ...

Recent breakthroughs have eased restrictions and opened up opportunities for Jordanian women and girls. In particular, the updated Law on Protection from Domestic Violence in 2017, which established a family protection department to handle complaints and brought about the long-demanded repeal of Penal Code Article 308, allowing rapists to escape punishment by marrying their victims.

A rise in female political representation is helping to drive these reforms. Increased quotas [???] ensure more seats for women in Parliament and local councils, with almost 20 percent of parliamentary seats held by women in the 2024 elections.

This is only slightly above the regional average and significantly lower than in countries like the UAE, where women hold 50 percent of seats, but it’s part of a wider shift as more Jordanian women participate in the political process. ..."

What It’s Like To Be a Women’s Rights Activist in Jordan "After two decades on the front lines of women’s rights in Jordan, Areej Sumreen is witnessing a long-awaited shift driven by a new generation of young women unafraid to claim their place."

Israeli, US weapons prove themselves in Iran strikes, US increases military presence, Jordan intercepts drones and missles

Recommendable! 

"... The Israel Air Force has been making extensive use in Iran of one of Israel’s most lethal air-to-ground munitions, the 500 pound MPR 500 penetration bomb produced by Elbit Systems, ... This precision bomb is designed to penetrate reinforced concrete one meter thick, and is carried by F-15 and F-16 aircraft.

These bombs, originally developed by Israel Military Industries, which Elbit Systems acquired, are turned into precision weapons by means of JDAM guidance kits. They contain 26,000 controlled fragments and have a kill area of 2,200 square meters. The MPR 500 can be dropped tens of kilometers from the intended target. ...

The United States European Command, headquartered in Stuttgart [Germany], has transferred two destroyers to the East Mediterranean. In normal times, no fewer than 30,000 US troops are deployed around the Middle East, including in Israel. Recent reinforcements will raise that to around 40,000. This is the third time that we have seen this policy implemented, after the Iranian attacks on Israel in April and October last year, but the first time under the second Trump administration.

Jordan has again proved a true friend to Israel at the moment of truth. According to foreign reports, its forces have intercepted UAVs and missiles aimed at Israel, and some of the intercepted weapons have fallen on its territory. The Jordanian Army stated that "the UAVs were intercepted because they had entered Jordanian territory" and that the interceptions were made following assessments that the UAVs and missiles were liable to fall in Jordan, in populated areas, and cause casualties, and were intended to defend the country’s borders whether on land, at sea, or in the air. ..."

Israeli, US weapons prove themselves in Iran strikes - Globes "Penetration bombs 

from Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin F-35s have performed impressively, while Jordan has assisted in intercepting Iranian threats."

Trump says he would consider withholding aid to Jordan and Egypt if they do not take in Palestinians

Seems to be a good idea!

For a very long time Arab countries have abused and exploited the Arab refugees/inhabitants of Gaza Strip and West Bank.

Trump says he would consider withholding aid to Jordan and Egypt if they do not take in Palestinians | Just The News

Five Arab countries oppose Donald Trumps Gazan relocation plan

Bad news!

This will certainly test The Art of the Deal and negotiation prowess of President Trump! However, the idea to (temporarily or permanently) relocate is not bad.

Why doe these five Arab countries not propose to manage the Gaza Strip and get rid of Hamas!

The useful idiots and pawns living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank!

"Five Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official sent a joint letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, opposing plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, as suggested by President Donald Trump in late January.

The letter was sent on Monday and signed by the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, as well as Palestinian presidential adviser Hussein al-Sheikh."

Arab countries oppose Donald Trumps Gazan relocation plan - The Jerusalem Post "Trump first floated the suggestion of Jordan and Egypt taking in Palestinians from Gaza on Jan. 25."

Is Jordan’s King Abdullah II a “Dead Man Walking”? by Michael Rubin

Recommendable!

"... Just as the Arab Spring began in Tunisia but then steamrolled through the region claiming the scalps of the leaders of Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. The same dynamics that contributed to Assad’s fall—conscript armies, corruption, and stagnant or declining living standards among ordinary citizens—are present in other countries: Iran, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, for example. 

Jordan’s King Abdullah II especially should be very worried. Like Former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, King Abdullah II is much more popular outside his country than inside. Too often, Washington think tank scholars and international correspondents allow their desire for access to skew their perspective. ...

The same is not true with Jordan. Many Jordanians look at the profligate lifestyle of the king and especially Queen Rania with disdain. As their children age, their own ritzy lifestyles chafe. While the Jordanian economy grows, many Jordanians remain unhappy about their current situation. Revolutions—both in Iran and Egypt—occurred when the economy was growing, not when recession loomed. 

Decades of relative poverty primes Jordanians toward extremism. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Iraqi Sunni insurgents from 2003 until his 2006 death, was both Jordanian and more the rule rather than the exception in certain corners of the country. That Jordan is majority Palestinians, too, also makes the kingdom vulnerable. ... Jordan, however, comprises more than 70 percent of historic Palestine by territory, and is two-thirds Palestinian by demography. Hamas resonates inside Jordan.  ...

Jordan is a cornerstone of the moderate Arab coalition and a country upon which the United States relies disproportionately in its support for regional security and peace. It is for this reason as well that many Islamists hate the country. ..."

Is Jordan’s King Abdullah II a “Dead Man Walking”? | American Enterprise Institute - AEI

Are Iran and Hezbollah trying to destabelize Jordan?

Besides Egypt, Jordan is one of the best Arab neighbors of Israel!

"... An unknown gunman fired on a Jordanian police patrol near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, on November 23. The gunman injured three Jordanian police officers in the attack. An unspecified security source stated that Jordanian security forces shot and killed the attacker after pursuing him on foot for at least an hour.[xi] Jordanian Communications Minister Mohammad Momani called the attack a ”terrorist attack” targeting Jordanian security forces.[xii] The Israeli ambassador to Jordan left Jordan shortly after the October 7, 2023, attacks.[xiii]

Jordanian forces disrupted a drug smuggling attempt from Syria, underscoring the risk that Iranian-backed militias could use these smuggling networks to further their efforts to destabilize Jordan. Jordanian security forces killed one drug smuggler and arrested six others who were attempting to cross the Syrian-Jordanian border into Jordan on November 24.[xiv] Jordanian officials stated there has been an increased effort by drugs and arms smugglers linked to Iranian-backed militias based in southern Syria to cross the border into Jordan over the past few weeks. Iranian-backed militias, which support drug smuggling into Jordan, can also use those routes to smuggle arms from Syria into Jordan. ..."

Iran Update, November 24, 2024 | Critical Threats

Carrefour quits Jordan over anti-Israel boycott and closes an estimated 30 stores

Strange things happen in war time! Or was this just an excuse by this well known French retailer to get out of Jordan anyway?

And this in an Arab country that has fairly friendly relations with Israel and despite the Israel–Jordan peace treaty of 1994.

Meanwhile, Carrefour keeps expanding in Israel!

"... Following a boycott of Carrefour in Jordan in protest against its supermarket chain in Israel, the French retail giant has closed all its stores in the Hashemite Kingdom, Carrefour Jordan has announced on its Facebook page, which has 1.1 million followers.  ...

Carrefour's decision came in the wake of an orchestrated campaign by the BDS movement over the past year calling on Jordanian consumers to boycott the chain's stores. The campaign was clearly reflected in a significant decline in sales and profits. ...

Today Carrefour opened its 108th store in Israel in Daliyat El-Carmel as it seeks to attract consumers in the Druze community as well as the haredi community. On Friday Carrefour will open its 109th store in Eilat. Later in November, the chain will open three more stores in Bat Yam, Tel Kabir and Netanya. ..."

Carrefour quits Jordan over anti-Israel boycott - Globes ""Carrefour will cease all its operations in Jordan and will not continue to operate within the Kingdom,” the French retail giant said."

Jordan becomes first country to receive WHO verification for eliminating leprosy

Good news! Progress one country at a time!

"The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for becoming the first country in the world to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy. This significant milestone marks a new era in global public health efforts. ..."

Jordan becomes first country to receive WHO verification for eliminating leprosy

Credits: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Global Health NOW

'If Russia, Why Not Israel?': Jordanian Queen Tears Into West Over Ukraine & Gaza Double standards

What a pretty, but stupid and prejudiced woman! No word about e.g. the executed hostages or the brutal, Barbarian hostage taking itself!

Three Israelis border guards killed in terror attack on Jordan border crossing reported

Let's hope and pray Israel does not have to fight a three front war (Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan)! And that this terrorist act at the Israeli-Jordan border was a singular exception!

NATO chooses Jordan to house first-ever liaison office in the Middle East and North Africa

Good news!

NATO chooses Jordan to house first-ever liaison office in the Middle East and North Africa - Breaking Defense While not a NATO-member state, Jordan was the only Middle East country to help the US and allies in countering the barrage of 300 missiles and drones launched by Tehran in an unprecedented direct confrontation attack between Iran and Israel.

Jordanian King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein speaks during a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (not seen) at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on May 05, 2021.

Drones on way to Israel shot down by Jordanian Air Force

Good news! Bravo!

"Overnight footage from Jordan showcased interceptions of Iranian attack drones headed for Israel. Official sources in Amman confirmed to Reuters that Jordanian fighter jets successfully neutralized the drones. ...
Since assisting King Hussein in quashing a Palestinian revolt in 1970, the two air forces [Jordan & Israel] have not engaged in combat. ...
After the 1995 peace deal with Israel, the USA rejuvenated the aging Jordanian Air Force, which had struggled to replace its outdated jets, by supplying dozens of refurbished F-16s. The Jordanians also acquired additional second-hand aircraft from Belgium and the Netherlands, now operating 64 planes across three squadrons. Last year, they placed their first order for 12 new, advanced F-16s from Lockheed Martin. Jordan also acquired new Black Hawk helicopters. ...
A decade ago, Israel transferred 16 decommissioned Cobra aircraft to Jordan to bolster its capabilities against ISIS. Twelve helicopters were commissioned, with the remainder used for parts. The Jordanian Air Force has frequently targeted ISIS positions in Syria, notably in 2014 when Lieutenant Muath al-Kasasbeh's F-16 was shot down, leading to his capture and brutal murder by ISIS, which prompted a fierce Jordanian aerial retaliation. ..."

Drones on way to Israel shot down by Jordanian Air Force - The Jerusalem Post The overnight incident underscored the transformation of the Jordanian Air Force from a former adversary to a critical ally of Israel.