ABSTRACT
Major regional events such as the Gulf War and the revived peace process dominated Jordanian domestic and foreign affairs in the year under survey. All sectors of the Jordanian population, both houses of parliament, the press and political parties and organizations all expressed overwhelming support for Iraq in its confrontation with the US and its allies. The disruption of oil supplies, and concern that they may be cut off altogether, prompted the Jordanian Government to seek alternative, albeit more expensive, sources of supply. Pessimistic forecasts of imminent economic collapse in Jordan because of the impact of the Gulf crisis proved to be incorrect. Jordan’s Arab Islamic cultural identity, charter noted, was exposed to the universal civilization of mankind, and Jordanian society was characterized by tolerance that rejected political or social violence, fanaticism, confessionalism or regionalism. Jordan’s sense of urgency and its appraisal of the regional balance of power inspired a revision of long-standing Jordanian positions on the Arab-Israeli peace process.
