The Situation in Jordan

The Security Situation in JordanHassan A. Barari (expert on Jordan security)

Unsurprisingly, terrorists have been planning to hit more than onecountry in the region and Europe especially after the publicity theygained in the wake of September 11. Like all countries in the MiddleEast and some European countries, Jordan is one of the targetedcountries. After what happened in London on July 7, all places aretargeted. Yet, by all yardsticks, the security situation in Jordan isfar better than the rest of the Middle Eastern countries and far better than the situation in the United States. Over the last twodecades only two foreigners were killed including Folly from USAID.

Seen from this perspective, the rocket attack in Aqaba in itself isinsignificant and has no repercussions on the security situation inJordan. Life is going as normal and Amman is full of foreign tourists.I have been to big malls and talked to some individuals and people are notpanicking and many said that these things are always expected everywhere.

The attack in Aqaba was carried out by Iraqis and against an Americanwarship and Israel. Had they sought to harm Jordan, they would havetargeted Jordanian civilians. Furthermore, the terrorists' ability tohit Jordan is far less than their ability to hit any other country inthe region or Europe. It is well known, that the Jordanianintelligence department is closely following terrorists activitiesall over the region. These fundamentalist groups are penetrated by theJordanian security apparatus and they have not managed to hit Jordan overthe last two decades.

Terrorists' main activities are directed against American and Britishtargets in Iraq. Jordan is watching closely these activities and ithas managed with great success to man its borders and prevented allterrorists from coming to Jordan. The security apparatus in Jordan andparticularly the intelligence department is probably the mostefficient and successful security apparatus in the region. It hasmanaged to foil several attempts in the past and frequently warns othercountries from possible attacks.

Additionally, Jordan is not a tempting place for terrorists as they regularlyseek places that give them prominence and visibility. Egypt is seen asa strong country that can check the Americans but does not do it. Forterrorists, this country should be 'punished' and that is why they focuson Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, there is a unifying front in Jordanwho all believe: the security situation is an asset tothe country that should be safeguarded.

For this reason terroists focus on the United States, Britain and Israel.In the Middle East, the focus is on Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. If Iwere an American, knowing the situation as I do now, I would cometo study in Jordan with less risk than studying in New York. Putdifferently, the possibility of a student being hurt is very low. Iwould strongly suggest that this program carry on as planned.

Schedule

Program Schedule
(This schedule is subject to changes based on curricular, logistical or security purposes.)

September 2 Arrive in NYC

September 3 Leave NYC

September 4 Lay-over at London, Heathrow

September 5 Arrive in Amman (Queen Alia Int’l Airport)

September 6-8 Orientation Period

September 9 Homestay begins with Jordanian families in Amman

September 11-15 Intensive Arabic Language, Thematic Seminars, Field Study Seminar

September 17 Educational Excursion: Um Qais, Ajloun, Jerash

September 18-22 Intensive Arabic Language, Thematic Seminars, Field Study

September 23-29 Rural Homestay

September 30 De-Briefing / Reflection of Learning Experience – Dead Sea – Bethany Beyond the Jordan

October 2-6 Intensive Arabic Language, Thematic Seminars, Field Study Seminar

October 8 Educational Excursion: Madaba, St. George’s, Mt. Nebo, Bethany

October 9-13 Intensive Arabic Language, Thematic Seminars, Field Study Seminar

October 13-20 Educational Excursion to Syria (conditions permitting)

October 22 De-Briefing / Reflection of Learning Experience – Abu Khalil’s

October 23-27 Intensive Arabic Language, Thematic Seminars, Field Study Seminar

October 29 Educational Excursion: Wadi Mujib or Desert Castles

October 30- November 3 Intensive Arabic Language, Thematic Seminars, Field Study Seminar

November 5-11 Educational Excursion to Petra/Wadi Rum, Karak & Dana

November 12 De-Briefing / Reflection of Learning Experience - Pella

November 13-17 Intensive Arabic Language, Thematic Seminars, Field Study Seminar

November 18 Home-stay Period Ends / ISP Period Begins

December 12-13 ISP Presentations

December 14-16 Evaluation & Re-Entry in Aqaba

December 17 End of Scheduled Program - Return to US

December 18 Return to Missouri from NYC

Websites

Please read the State Department’s Consular Information Sheet on Jordan (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1149.html).

& please read the Jordan Times (www.jordantimes.com) for up to date information about Jordan and the surrounding areas.

Also: http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/jordan/index.do

Hey Everyone :o)

The beginning of my journey is drawing near, as I will be leaving for NYC this coming Friday (09/02), and then leaving the following evening for Jordan. I wanted to write and give everyone my contact information before I leave the US. I will be bringing my laptop, so whenever I do connect to the internet I will be on AIM for the brief time span that I am on-line.
My info is as follows:

E-mail me for my postal address

AIM: gin and gloom

I am helping a teacher at my school with a class he is doing on peace and conflict mediation, so I will be sending him weekly updates on life in Amman, and to keep everyone else up to date I will be posting those letters on a separate blog at:

http://www.dsmentalmeanderings.blogspot.com

As always you can catch up with me at my other blog for more personal outtakes, but I do not know how much time I will have to post there…As everyone has seen I haven’t had time this summer really, so the trend may continue. I am going to try though.

If anyone has my cell phone number it will be my mother’s number for the time I am in Jordan. Cingular wanted to charge me $2.49 a minute to use their service in Jordan, so I will be getting a new SIM card when I enter the country. So if you call my number after the 2nd and you get my mother do not be alarmed! I will be back on that line when I return in December. For those of you that want my new cell phone number, just write me and I will give it to you, because it is free for me to receive ANY incoming call.
I have also started up a photo web community with photos from this past year, and I will continue to post photos from my travels on there as well, so check in for a view of my life in Amman.

http://community.webshots.com/user/epphnyskr

I think that is it from my end. If you do want to receive post cards from NYC and the Middle East you will need to write me ASAP, because my plane leaves at 8.30 am on Friday and I do not know when I will be able to check my mail again. Otherwise, have a great fall everyone and stay in contact!!! I will be back in Missouri on December 18th, so we will all have to catch up. *hugs*

Lotsa Luvings from this world traveler –
Danie