The “days’ war” Illusion: Why Jordan needs to act now
Strategic reserves of food and energy are important in times of crisis, but they are not enough to make us feel safe, especially in a war with no clear end. The biggest mistake is to believe that time alone will solve the problem, or that this is just a “short war” that will end quickly. This idea may feel comfortable politically, but it is very costly economically. The region is not facing a short crisis. It is facing a long period of uncertainty that affects energy, food, and trade.
For Jordan, this situation puts the economy under serious pressure. Over the past 25 years, the Jordanian economy has faced many shocks, roughly one major crisis every three years. Even so, it has often managed to recover or reduce the damage.
The current energy crisis is estimated to cost about 2.5 million Jordanian dinars per day, around 3.5 million US dollars, due to high global oil prices. The country’s fuel reserves are only enough for about 30 days. This means there is no room to wait. Jordan imports around 80% of its energy, so any disruption in oil and gas supply will quickly raise prices. This will increase the cost of living, inflation, and reduce people’s purchasing power.
The main question is: should we wait for the situation to become clearer, or act now to reduce the risks? The economic answer is clear. Acting early costs less than reacting late, especially in energy policy. What is needed now is better management of energy demand using smart and temporary measures that reduce consumption without hurting daily life.
This can include changes like more remote work and online learning a few days a week, adjusting business working hours, and improving traffic systems to reduce car use. At the same time, the economy must keep running, so production and daily activity are not disrupted.
Food security is also very important. Any disruption in global supply chains will quickly lead to higher prices. That is why Jordan needs stronger food reserves, more diverse import sources, and more support for local production. The issue is not only having resources, but how well they are managed. In normal times, waste may be tolerated, but in crises, every decision matters for national security.
This situation requires a change in government priorities. The region does not show signs of a quick end to tensions. Instead, uncertainty is likely to continue. In such times, stability depends on preparation, not expectations.
Jordan has shown it can handle crises before. But successful countries are not just those with resources. They are the ones that manage them well and prepare for problems before they happen. Jordan now has a chance to make early decisions that can help it pass through a very difficult period. Acting now is not optional. It is necessary.
Strategic reserves of food and energy are important in times of crisis, but they are not enough to make us feel safe, especially in a war with no clear end. The biggest mistake is to believe that time alone will solve the problem, or that this is just a “short war” that will end quickly. This idea may feel comfortable politically, but it is very costly economically. The region is not facing a short crisis. It is facing a long period of uncertainty that affects energy, food, and trade.
For Jordan, this situation puts the economy under serious pressure. Over the past 25 years, the Jordanian economy has faced many shocks, roughly one major crisis every three years. Even so, it has often managed to recover or reduce the damage.
The current energy crisis is estimated to cost about 2.5 million Jordanian dinars per day, around 3.5 million US dollars, due to high global oil prices. The country’s fuel reserves are only enough for about 30 days. This means there is no room to wait. Jordan imports around 80% of its energy, so any disruption in oil and gas supply will quickly raise prices. This will increase the cost of living, inflation, and reduce people’s purchasing power.
The main question is: should we wait for the situation to become clearer, or act now to reduce the risks? The economic answer is clear. Acting early costs less than reacting late, especially in energy policy. What is needed now is better management of energy demand using smart and temporary measures that reduce consumption without hurting daily life.
This can include changes like more remote work and online learning a few days a week, adjusting business working hours, and improving traffic systems to reduce car use. At the same time, the economy must keep running, so production and daily activity are not disrupted.
Food security is also very important. Any disruption in global supply chains will quickly lead to higher prices. That is why Jordan needs stronger food reserves, more diverse import sources, and more support for local production. The issue is not only having resources, but how well they are managed. In normal times, waste may be tolerated, but in crises, every decision matters for national security.
This situation requires a change in government priorities. The region does not show signs of a quick end to tensions. Instead, uncertainty is likely to continue. In such times, stability depends on preparation, not expectations.
Jordan has shown it can handle crises before. But successful countries are not just those with resources. They are the ones that manage them well and prepare for problems before they happen. Jordan now has a chance to make early decisions that can help it pass through a very difficult period. Acting now is not optional. It is necessary.
Strategic reserves of food and energy are important in times of crisis, but they are not enough to make us feel safe, especially in a war with no clear end. The biggest mistake is to believe that time alone will solve the problem, or that this is just a “short war” that will end quickly. This idea may feel comfortable politically, but it is very costly economically. The region is not facing a short crisis. It is facing a long period of uncertainty that affects energy, food, and trade.
For Jordan, this situation puts the economy under serious pressure. Over the past 25 years, the Jordanian economy has faced many shocks, roughly one major crisis every three years. Even so, it has often managed to recover or reduce the damage.
The current energy crisis is estimated to cost about 2.5 million Jordanian dinars per day, around 3.5 million US dollars, due to high global oil prices. The country’s fuel reserves are only enough for about 30 days. This means there is no room to wait. Jordan imports around 80% of its energy, so any disruption in oil and gas supply will quickly raise prices. This will increase the cost of living, inflation, and reduce people’s purchasing power.
The main question is: should we wait for the situation to become clearer, or act now to reduce the risks? The economic answer is clear. Acting early costs less than reacting late, especially in energy policy. What is needed now is better management of energy demand using smart and temporary measures that reduce consumption without hurting daily life.
This can include changes like more remote work and online learning a few days a week, adjusting business working hours, and improving traffic systems to reduce car use. At the same time, the economy must keep running, so production and daily activity are not disrupted.
Food security is also very important. Any disruption in global supply chains will quickly lead to higher prices. That is why Jordan needs stronger food reserves, more diverse import sources, and more support for local production. The issue is not only having resources, but how well they are managed. In normal times, waste may be tolerated, but in crises, every decision matters for national security.
This situation requires a change in government priorities. The region does not show signs of a quick end to tensions. Instead, uncertainty is likely to continue. In such times, stability depends on preparation, not expectations.
Jordan has shown it can handle crises before. But successful countries are not just those with resources. They are the ones that manage them well and prepare for problems before they happen. Jordan now has a chance to make early decisions that can help it pass through a very difficult period. Acting now is not optional. It is necessary.
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The “days’ war” Illusion: Why Jordan needs to act now
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