Stay ConnectedA podcast on the latest developments in Jordanian politics featuring interviews with experts from across the Hashemite Kingdom. The podcast is hosted by Aaron Magid, a former Amman-based journalist.
Guests on the podcast have included former Royal Court Chief Jawad Anani, journalist Daoud Kuttab, Professor Hassan Barari, Canadian Ambassador to Amman Donica Pottie, and Jordanian Minister Nayef al-Fayez.
Copyright: © Aaron Magid
Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, joins the podcast about HRW's September report on the difficulties facing Jordanian civil society. Coogle details how the civic space in the Hashemite Kingdom has shrunk in recent years and explains if the New York-based organization was calling for the United States to cut aid to Jordan. He discusses why the Jordanian government rejected a local NGO's request to receive a German grant for a recycling awareness program. Finally, Coogle addresses which topics are considered most sensitive for Jordanian civil society.
Dr. Jillian Schwedler joins the podcast to discuss her new book on the kingdom's protest movement. She details the obstancles that the Jordanian government places to make demonstrations more difficult. Schwedler, who serves as a professor of Political Science at Hunter College, addresses whether protestors only assail the prime minister or also criticize King Abdullah. Furthermore, she analyzes whether the Jordanian government's management of the Arab Spring demonstrations was considered a success story. Finally, Professor Schwedler discusses whether protests have secured any strategic victories in regards to the country's economic woes, overall political system or foreign relations.
Former Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher joins the podcast to discuss what political changes are necessary for the Hashemite Kingdom. Dr. Muasher, who also served as Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Ambassador to the United States, views the impact of last year's Royal Committee to Modernize the Political System. He also recounts his personal experience trying to build a secular Jordanian political party a few years ago while outside the government along with his 2005 effort to advance reform from as a Jordanian minister. Finally, Dr. Muasher examines if it would be benefitical for the Biden administration to publicly press for politcal reform in the Kingdom.
Amer Sabaileh, a columnist for 12 years at the Jordan Times, joins the podcast to discuss King Abdullah's May letter criticizing Prince Hamzah. Sabaileh, previously a professor at the University of Jordan, views Hamzah's popularity among Jordanians. He also evaluates whether King Abdullah's latest letter will close the chapter for the Kingdom on the 2021 sedition affair. Finally, Sabaileh details the differences in tone between Hamzah's March apology letter to King Abdullah and his April tweet renouncing the title of prince.
Ashraf Zeitoon, former Head of Public Policy for the Middle East at Facebook, joins the podcast to discuss which social media platforms are most popular in the Hashemite Kingdom. Zeitoon, who previously served in Jordan's Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister's office, explains why WhatsApp calls cannot be made to Jordan. He discusses how the Jordanian government restricts social media access. Zeitoon, who also served as the first director of Public Policy for the Middle East at Netflix, examines the 2022 statement by Jordan's Prime Minister that over 100,000 fake social media accounts were established from across the region to target Jordan. Finally, Zeitoon explains why social media companies have declined to open large regional offices in Amman.
Jordan's Tourism Minister Nayef Al-Fayez highlights the Hashemite Kingdom's best tourist attractions. Minister Fayez details the biggest misperception of Jordan when speaking with colleagues abroad. His Excellency discusses the country's new tourist initiatives and explains what day-to-day life is like while serving as a Jordanian minister.
Taghreed Risheq, a longtime Jordanian reporter, details her 11 hour detention at the Amman airport due to a tweet criticizing another journalist. Risheq, who worked for 17 years as a reporter for the Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad explains how Jordanian authorities prosecuted a case against her without offering any notification. Risheq explains how US Congresswoman Betty McCollum contacted the Jordanian Embassy in Washington on her behalf and the case's eventual dismissal. Finally, Risheq discusses the overall state of freedoms across the Hashemite Kingdom.
Dutch Ambassador to Amman Harry Verweij joins the podcast to discuss Jordan's efforts to combat climate change. Ambassador Verweij explains the difficulties climate change poses to the Hashemite Kingdom in the upcoming decades. He details the Dutch Embassy in Amman's specific initiatives to address some of Jordan's environmental challenges. Finally, Ambassador Verweij notes his favorite tourist spot in Jordan.
Dr. Hassan Barari, a Jordanian political analyst joins the podcast to discuss the Hashemite Kingdom's stance on the Ukraine war. Dr. Barari, who is a professor of international relations at Qatar University, explains why Jordan voted at the United Nations to condemn Russia's invasion. He discusses Jordanian public attitude toward the conflict and notes why King Abdullah has declined to personally criticize Moscow since the February 24th invasion. Professor Barari also details the Ukraine war's impact on Russia's presence in Syria, along Jordan's northern border.
Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Farah Maraqa joins the podcast to discuss the February 20th New York Times report of King Abdullah's Swiss bank accounts exceeding over $200 million. Maraqa, who has reported for Raialyoum and Deutsche Welle, discusses how the Jordanian public and media responded to the story. She explains the Royal Court's response to the affair along with why King Abdullah keeps such large amount of his wealth outside Jordan. Finally, Maraqa details how the Hashemite Kingdom's challenging economic conditions affect how citizens view the latest leak of King Abdullah's wealth abroad.
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