Bridge over Troubled Waters: Jordan’s Position in the Middle East

Jordan is stuck between a rock and a hard place, surrounded by regional instability and domestic challenges. While Jordan is a resource-poor state with instability on all sides, its ability to maneuver in the region has given it significant political clout despite its limited state capacity. Unlike regional powers that maneuver to shape the region according to their interests, a smaller power such as Jordan must engage in maneuvering out of necessity. It has done so throughout its history.