Dr. Amer Al Sabaileh

In previous articles over the past two weeks, I have argued that Jordan needs to reassess its security framework to confront emerging challenges and attempts to transfer regional crises into the domestic arena. I have also examined the changing nature of terrorist threats, particularly the shift from the concept of the lone wolf to that of the isolated cell, which extremist organisations may exploit to destabilise Jordan and undermine its internal security.

These warnings have gained greater significance following two security incidents in the Kingdom within a relatively short period. The attack targeting civilians in Karak and the assault on a member of the security forces in Amman. Although the incidents differ in nature, and no operational link between them has been established, they demand a broader assessment of evolving security threats and the capabilities needed to address them.

The latest attack targeting a security officer deserves particular attention because it bears similarities to the ideological doctrine promoted by ISIS. Through its propaganda and religious pronouncements, the organization has repeatedly encouraged attacks against security personnel, the seizure of their weapons and the use of such operations to facilitate further attacks intended to inflict the highest possible number of casualties. This makes it necessary to examine the potential ideological motivations behind the incident and whether it reflects the influence of extremist narratives that seek to turn attacks on security personnel into a means of penetrating security structures and destabilising the state.

What is happening cannot simply be viewed as a series of isolated incidents. Jordan is operating within a volatile regional environment in which external developments increasingly intersect with domestic challenges. This makes a reassessment of the country's security and intelligence framework essential, extending beyond immediate responses to incidents.

The first issue concerns the perception of security, both among citizens and in the calculations of individuals or organisations that may consider targeting Jordan. Repeated incidents can create the impression that vulnerabilities exist and that further attacks are possible. Restoring confidence, however, cannot be achieved through official messaging alone. It must be demonstrated through institutional readiness, proactive action and tangible results.

This requires practical steps, beginning with the renewal of expertise, the development of administrative and operational thinking, and the adoption of more advanced working methods. Traditional approaches are no longer sufficient when threats are constantly evolving. Strengthening internal security must therefore include more effective intelligence work, closer operational coordination, improved police capabilities and updated risk-assessment mechanisms. The objective must be to move from responding to threats after they emerge to anticipating them and addressing their underlying causes.

Another important dimension concerns the national narrative. Jordan needs a clear security discourse that goes beyond reactive statements and temporary reassurance. It must offer a realistic assessment of the challenges while strengthening trust between citizens and security institutions. Society must understand the threats facing the country and have confidence in the state's ability to address them. Security is not built through institutions alone, it also depends on public trust, cooperation and awareness.

Most importantly, this strategy must remain state-led, away from ideological disputes or attempts to impose competing visions through social media. The state must define its security priorities and lead a national project that uses the current public sense of solidarity as an opportunity to address issues that have remained unresolved for years.

Nor should the challenge be reduced to its religious dimension alone. A significant part of the problem lies in the absence of a broader cultural, educational and developmental project capable of strengthening society, promoting critical thinking and addressing the gaps that extremist ideas can exploit. The response must therefore extend beyond traditional security measures into education, culture, development and the building of national awareness.

Jordan now has an opportunity to strengthen its internal foundations, not only to confront existing threats but also to prepare for the transformations ahead. In the coming phase, security will not be measured solely by the state's ability to prevent attacks or dismantle cells, but also by its capacity to build a more cohesive society and stronger, more proactive institutions. This is the real significance of moving from managing threats to building a national security framework capable of anticipating them, preventing them and containing their consequences before they develop into wider crises.