Speakers

Curtis Ryan

Professor of Political Science

Appalachian State University

Arwa Shobaki

Managing Director

Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED)

Sean L. Yom

Associate Professor of Political Science

Temple University

About the Webinar

In a region full of conflicts, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has long been touted as a beacon of peace, stability, and moderation. For this reason it continues to receive financial, military, and political support from its western allies. But for decades Jordan’s domestic politics have been caught between its efforts to ensure the stability of the country and the monarchy on the one hand, and intensifying popular discontent and sociopolitical mobilization on the other. Over the last several years, Jordan has witnessed renewed waves of protests and a growing political opposition movement that together reflect deepening political dissatisfaction and economic grievances, and that represent diverse segments of Jordanian society across economic, social, ethnic, and religious lines. Protestors have organized against rising food and fuel prices, corruption, repressive security forces, restrictions on speech and assembly, high youth unemployment rates, vanishing government subsidies, and the absence of the rule of law. In response, the Hashemite regime has presented several rounds of reform initiatives, the latest of which was the formation of the Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System in June 2021 with the aim of producing a 10-year reform plan to establish strong parliamentary governance and create new laws governing elections and political parties.

Arab Center Washington DC is convening a panel of experts to discuss the reform process and its prospects for creating real change for the people of Jordan. Speakers will examine the details of the reform plan, evaluate whether it can be implemented and have a meaningful impact on life in the kingdom, and propose recommendations to address concerns over governance, economic crises, and rising restrictions on the press and free speech. They will also assess the current socioeconomic and political conditions that triggered the protests, as well as the impact of neoliberal economic policies, the influence of Jordan’s tribal system, the implications of a newly announced cybercrime law, and US policy proposals to support real reform in Jordan.

* Additional speakers to be announced

Featured image credit: Flickr/Isam Bayazidi