Growing anger in Jordan as calls mount for US troop withdrawal amid war on Iran ——
According to The New York Times, hundreds of Jordanian politicians, lawyers, academics, tribal leaders, trade unionists, and other public figures signed an open letter calling for the withdrawal of US forces from Jordan. The signatories argued that the presence of roughly 4,000 US troops exposes the kingdom to growing security, political, and economic risks while dragging it into a regional war “to which it is not a party.”
The letter comes as Iranian missiles and drones have repeatedly targeted US military bases and installations in Jordan in recent weeks, triggering air raid sirens across the country. Veteran political activist Sufyan al-Tell, one of the signatories, said many Jordanians reject the government’s close ties with Washington and Israel, arguing that Jordan is being used “to defend Israel.” He also warned that more people continue to sign the letter despite fears of imprisonment.
The report says Jordan has remained firmly aligned with the US throughout the war, largely because of its dependence on American assistance.The United States provided $1.65 billion in economic and military aid to Jordan last year, while the war has severely impacted the kingdom’s tourism sector, which accounts for up to 18% of national revenue.
The report also highlighted Jordan’s shrinking space for political dissent. No Jordanian media outlet has published the open letter, and activists warned that signatories risk arrest. The report notes that Jordan has tightened restrictions on free expression in recent years, including a 2023 cybercrime law criticized by rights groups and the 2025 ban on the Muslim Brotherhood, amid a broader crackdown on opposition voices.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 