"'Switzerland of the Middle East' Jordan Shaken by Allegations of King’s Brother’s Rebellion Attempt (Comprehensive)"

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[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Jordan, known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East" and recognized as the most stable country in the region, is facing growing concerns over political instability following news of a rebellion attempt and house arrest of the king's half-brother. As the most pro-Western Arab country, Jordan plays a crucial bridging role in U.S. Middle East diplomacy, and any shakeup in the Jordanian monarchy could plunge the Middle East into significant turmoil. The United States and neighboring Arab countries have expressed support for the current Jordanian king and appear to be rushing to stabilize the situation.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 4th (local time), Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, the half-brother of King Abdullah II of Jordan, was placed under house arrest the previous day on charges of conspiring with foreign forces to stage a rebellion. Several high-ranking Jordanian officials, including former Finance Minister Basem Awadallah, who are suspected of sympathizing with him, were also arrested in succession. Axios reported that the Jordanian government stated Prince Hamzah had contacted an Israeli businessman, a former Mossad agent, to incite the rebellion. Prince Hamzah’s side denies these allegations.

In response to the news of political instability in Jordan, Western countries as well as Middle Eastern nations quickly issued statements of support for King Abdullah, concerned about the potential impact on the regional situation in neighboring countries such as Iraq and Syria. The U.S. State Department, immediately after receiving news of Prince Hamzah’s house arrest, released a statement saying, "We are closely monitoring the reports, and King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States," expressing support for the Jordanian monarch. Alongside the U.S., major Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also announced their support for King Abdullah.

The United States and Arab countries fear that if the Jordanian monarchy is destabilized, political instability across the Middle East will worsen. According to The New York Times (NYT), Jordan, along with Bahrain, is one of the most pro-Western and open Arab countries where homosexuality and alcohol consumption are permitted, serving as a diplomatic channel connecting the West and the Arab world.

Moreover, Jordan has played a key role as part of the U.S. military and international coalition forces in the fight against the Sunni extremist militant group Islamic State (IS). The Jordanian government, bordering Syria and Iraq, currently hosts over two million refugees displaced by the civil wars in those countries. Therefore, if political instability in Jordan becomes apparent, there are concerns that the Middle Eastern civil war situation will become even more difficult.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.