Carlson's Jordanian Pivot: A Christian Nationalist Rebranding Abroad?
The New Arab reports Carlson's unexpected praise for Jordan, highlighting the country's welcome of Christians and protection of their heritage. He emphasized Jordan's 'authenticity' and its commitment to 'preserving the original faith'. This narrative positions specific Muslim-majority nations as benevolent protectors of Christianity, a stark contrast to the persistent 'clash of civilizations'
rhetoric often associated with conservative media figures. However, this selective admiration stands in sharp relief when compared to how similar narratives are (or aren't) applied elsewhere. During the 2003 Iraq War, US government and media narratives frequently invoked the 'liberation' of religious minorities, yet the subsequent conflict led to a mass exodus of Iraqi Christians, their population
plummeting from 1.5 million before the invasion to an estimated 250,000 today ( Aid to the Church in Need, 2021 ). The framing then was of urgent intervention to save minorities; now, it's about validating existing, advantageous relationships. Which raises the question: Double Standard Analysis: CASE A: Carlson's Jordan Narrative: Carlson lauds Jordan for 'protecting Christian sites' and
'welcoming Christians', implying a unique virtue. The article notes his increasing criticism of 'Israel'. CASE B: Western Aversion to Palestinian Christian Advocacy: For decades, Palestinian Christians, whose presence in the Levant predates Islam, have been vocal about the impact of Israeli occupation on their communities, including restrictions on access to holy sites and pressure from land