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
An interview with Canadian Ambassador to Amman, Donica Pottie, about women's rights in Jordan. Ambassador Pottie discusses how the pandemic has impacted gender equality in the Hashemite Kingdom. The senior Canadian diplomat explains the challenges regarding employment as 86% of Jordanian women are currently absent from the country's workforce. Ambassador Pottie addresses the impact of an amendment to the Hashemite Kingdom's constitution adding the term "Jordanian women." Additionally, she notes where Jordan has most improved in terms of gender equality.
Dr. Joas Wagemakers, Associate Professor of Islam and Arabic at Utrecht University, joins the podcast to discuss the current goals of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood. Professor Wagemakers, who wrote a 2020 book on the Islamist group, explains the tension between King Abdullah and the Muslim Brotherhood. He also estimates how the Islamic Action Front would fare if elections were held in the Hashemite Kingdom without gerrymandering and government restrictions. Finally, Dr. Wagemakers notes the attitudes of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood toward the United States.
Mohammed Ersan, editor-in-chief of Balad Radio, joins the podcast to discuss Jordan's military killing 27 suspected drug smugglers attempting to cross the Syrian border last week. Ersan, a Jordanian contributor for Middle East Eye and Arabi21, explains which groups are behind the smuggling along the Syrian border in addition to the Jordanian public's reactions to these events. Finally, Ersan analyzes what factors led to this high death toll.
Professor Sean Yom, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University, joins the podcast to discuss how the Kingdom's electoral laws have been impacted by tensions between individuals of tribal background and Jordanians of Palestinian descent. Dr. Yom, the author of the upcoming book, "Jordan: Politics in an Accidental Crucible" discusses the chances a Jordanian of Palestinian origin has of serving and advancing within the Kingdom's military or intelligence directorate. Finally, Professor Yom addresses why Jordan's Prime Minister announced in 2013 that the country would bar Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria entry into Jordan.
An interview with Jordanian journalist Suha Ma’ayeh on the December 28th brawl in Jordan's Parliament. Ma'yaeh, whose articles have appeared in Foreign Policy and the Wall Street Journal, details why Jordanians have such little trust in the country's legislative branch. She also discusses which groups have been over-represented in parliament as well as the influence of the Hashemite Kingdom's security sector on lawmakers' votes.
Dr. Bessma Momani, Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, unpacks the April sedition case involving Prince Hamzah. She discusses Jordanian public opinion toward Prince Hamzah and the overall affair. Finally, Professor Momani explains the long-term implications of the plot for Jordan and the lessons for King Abdullah.
Taylor Luck, an Amman-based correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, speaks about how Jordan's ties with Washington changed after President Joe Biden entered office. Taylor discusses the likelihood of Amman continuing to receive nearly $1.5 billion in annual US aid a decade from now along with questions about US involvement in Jordanian political reform. Finally, Taylor explains Jordanian attitudes toward the nearly 3,000 US troops deployed in the Hashemite Kingdom.
An interview with former Jordanian labor minister Dr. Jawad Anani explaining the reasons for the Hashemite Kingdom's 25 percent unemployment rate. Dr. Anani, who also served as head of the Royal Court under King Hussein, discusses the preferences among many Jordanians to work in the public sector.
An interview with Oraib Rantawi, director of the Amman-based Quds Center for Political Studies, on the Jordanian public's reaction to the November 22nd agreement with Israel and the UAE. Rantawi also discusses how the Jordanian government has handled the domestic criticism.
An interview with Rana Sweis, an Amman-based freelance journalist for the New York Times and other outlets, about press conditions in Jordan. Sweis discusses the increase in self-censorship among Jordanian reporters and notes the dynamics for female journalists in the Kingdom.
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