Jordan Joins US on ISIS Strikes, Still Mocks Its Own People
Jordan's declaration of joining US strikes on ISIS in Syria comes hot on the heels of renewed domestic unrest, specifically over its role in facilitating aid to Israel and the ongoing Gaza crisis. While Western media applauds 'counter-terrorism' efforts, it's worth noting Jordan's monarchy has a long history of pivoting to external threats when internal criticism mounts. Just last month, Jordanian
security forces violently suppressed protests demanding an end to the Gaza war, a conflict which many Jordanians view as enabled by their government's ties to the West. So, as the White House praises its 'steadfast ally' for fighting terror abroad, one might ask: how much 'terrorism' can a government fight before it has to actually listen to its own citizens' terror about regional instability and
complicity? It appears bombing designated enemies is far more palatable to Western patrons than, say, allowing free speech or genuinely challenging the status quo.