A Response to Aaron Magid, Author of “Where Is King Abdullah?”
Dear Aaron,
I read your article with great attention, and I appreciate the positive aspects you highlighted about His Majesty King Abdullah II—his role in preserving Jordan’s security and stability, strengthening its international standing and strategic partnerships, combating terrorism, defending the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem, and managing regional crises despite Jordan’s limited resources.
But allow me to ask you a few questions, because I believe Jordan’s story cannot be fully understood from a distance.
Where were you, Aaron, over the past three decades, when His Majesty placed the fight against terrorism and extremism at the heart of Jordan’s national security?
Where were you when Jordan stood on the front line against terrorism while facing repeated threats and attacks itself?
Where were you when Jordanian soldiers and security personnel gave their lives defending their country? Where were you when Amman was struck by terrorism, while His Majesty carried the responsibility of the nation through some of its most difficult moments?
Where were you when Jordan faced the wars in Iraq and Syria, the refugee crisis, threats to its borders, and immense regional pressures?
Where were you when His Majesty stood beside the families of martyrs and widows and visited families whose sons had sacrificed their lives for Jordan?
Where were you when His Majesty travelled throughout the Kingdom, meeting his people and listening directly to their concerns?
These are not ceremonial gestures. They are part of the lived relationship between the Hashemite leadership and the Jordanian people.
Having lived in Amman and met many of its people, did you not see that the relationship between Jordanians and King Abdullah II is more than political?
It is built on history, trust, loyalty and a deep attachment to the Hashemite institution.
We Jordanians know what our country has faced: wars, terrorism, refugee crises, economic pressures and constant regional challenges. Yet Jordan has remained standing—secure, stable and resilient.
I believe your article captures part of the story, but not the whole story.
Perhaps some of what is missing cannot be found in political sources. Perhaps it can only be understood by spending time among Jordanians and seeing Jordan through the eyes of those who lived through these years.
I sincerely hope you will return to Jordan and have the opportunity to meet His Majesty the King directly. Such a meeting may add another dimension to the picture you have drawn in your book and articles.
Jordan has never had the resources of major powers. Yet, despite its limited resources and extraordinary challenges, it has remained secure, stable, internationally respected and an important voice in the region.
That is not a small achievement.
You have seen part of Jordan’s story, Aaron.
But you have not seen everything that we have seen.
With respect and warm regards.
Dear Aaron,
I read your article with great attention, and I appreciate the positive aspects you highlighted about His Majesty King Abdullah II—his role in preserving Jordan’s security and stability, strengthening its international standing and strategic partnerships, combating terrorism, defending the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem, and managing regional crises despite Jordan’s limited resources.
But allow me to ask you a few questions, because I believe Jordan’s story cannot be fully understood from a distance.
Where were you, Aaron, over the past three decades, when His Majesty placed the fight against terrorism and extremism at the heart of Jordan’s national security?
Where were you when Jordan stood on the front line against terrorism while facing repeated threats and attacks itself?
Where were you when Jordanian soldiers and security personnel gave their lives defending their country? Where were you when Amman was struck by terrorism, while His Majesty carried the responsibility of the nation through some of its most difficult moments?
Where were you when Jordan faced the wars in Iraq and Syria, the refugee crisis, threats to its borders, and immense regional pressures?
Where were you when His Majesty stood beside the families of martyrs and widows and visited families whose sons had sacrificed their lives for Jordan?
Where were you when His Majesty travelled throughout the Kingdom, meeting his people and listening directly to their concerns?
These are not ceremonial gestures. They are part of the lived relationship between the Hashemite leadership and the Jordanian people.
Having lived in Amman and met many of its people, did you not see that the relationship between Jordanians and King Abdullah II is more than political?
It is built on history, trust, loyalty and a deep attachment to the Hashemite institution.
We Jordanians know what our country has faced: wars, terrorism, refugee crises, economic pressures and constant regional challenges. Yet Jordan has remained standing—secure, stable and resilient.
I believe your article captures part of the story, but not the whole story.
Perhaps some of what is missing cannot be found in political sources. Perhaps it can only be understood by spending time among Jordanians and seeing Jordan through the eyes of those who lived through these years.
I sincerely hope you will return to Jordan and have the opportunity to meet His Majesty the King directly. Such a meeting may add another dimension to the picture you have drawn in your book and articles.
Jordan has never had the resources of major powers. Yet, despite its limited resources and extraordinary challenges, it has remained secure, stable, internationally respected and an important voice in the region.
That is not a small achievement.
You have seen part of Jordan’s story, Aaron.
But you have not seen everything that we have seen.
With respect and warm regards.
Dear Aaron,
I read your article with great attention, and I appreciate the positive aspects you highlighted about His Majesty King Abdullah II—his role in preserving Jordan’s security and stability, strengthening its international standing and strategic partnerships, combating terrorism, defending the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem, and managing regional crises despite Jordan’s limited resources.
But allow me to ask you a few questions, because I believe Jordan’s story cannot be fully understood from a distance.
Where were you, Aaron, over the past three decades, when His Majesty placed the fight against terrorism and extremism at the heart of Jordan’s national security?
Where were you when Jordan stood on the front line against terrorism while facing repeated threats and attacks itself?
Where were you when Jordanian soldiers and security personnel gave their lives defending their country? Where were you when Amman was struck by terrorism, while His Majesty carried the responsibility of the nation through some of its most difficult moments?
Where were you when Jordan faced the wars in Iraq and Syria, the refugee crisis, threats to its borders, and immense regional pressures?
Where were you when His Majesty stood beside the families of martyrs and widows and visited families whose sons had sacrificed their lives for Jordan?
Where were you when His Majesty travelled throughout the Kingdom, meeting his people and listening directly to their concerns?
These are not ceremonial gestures. They are part of the lived relationship between the Hashemite leadership and the Jordanian people.
Having lived in Amman and met many of its people, did you not see that the relationship between Jordanians and King Abdullah II is more than political?
It is built on history, trust, loyalty and a deep attachment to the Hashemite institution.
We Jordanians know what our country has faced: wars, terrorism, refugee crises, economic pressures and constant regional challenges. Yet Jordan has remained standing—secure, stable and resilient.
I believe your article captures part of the story, but not the whole story.
Perhaps some of what is missing cannot be found in political sources. Perhaps it can only be understood by spending time among Jordanians and seeing Jordan through the eyes of those who lived through these years.
I sincerely hope you will return to Jordan and have the opportunity to meet His Majesty the King directly. Such a meeting may add another dimension to the picture you have drawn in your book and articles.
Jordan has never had the resources of major powers. Yet, despite its limited resources and extraordinary challenges, it has remained secure, stable, internationally respected and an important voice in the region.
That is not a small achievement.
You have seen part of Jordan’s story, Aaron.
But you have not seen everything that we have seen.
With respect and warm regards.
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A Response to Aaron Magid, Author of “Where Is King Abdullah?”
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