Jordan and America: An Enduring Friendship Tapa dura -

In Jordan and America, long-time Middle East expert Bruce Riedel tells the remarkable story of the relationship between the kingdom of Jordan and the United States and how their leaders have navigated the politics of the most volatile region in the world.

Jordan has been an important U.S. ally for more than seventy years, thanks largely to two members of the Hashemite family: King Hussein, who came to power at the age of 17 in 1952 and governed for nearly a half century, and his son King Abdullah II, who inherited the throne in 1999. Both survived numerous assassination attempts, wars, and plots by their many enemies. Both ruled with a firm hand but without engaging in the dictatorial extremes so common to the Middle East.

American presidents from Eisenhower to Biden have worked closely with the two Hashemite kings to maintain peace and stability in the region--when possible. The relationship has often been rocky, punctuated by numerous crises, but in the end, it has endured and thrived.

Bruce Riedel narrates the history of the U.S.-Jordanian relationship from the vantage point of his own role in its shaping and with his characteristic insight and eye for telling detail. For anyone interested in the region, understanding this story will provide new insights into the Arab-Israeli conflict, the multiple Persian Gulf wars, and the endless quest to bring long-term peace and stability to the region.