Examining Jordan's Unrest and Coming Elections

With Jordan’s parliamentary elections currently scheduled to take place in late January, Jordanians are poised to go to the polls for the first time since the start of the uprisings that swept across the region nearly two years ago. In that time, the country has experienced nearly constant street protests, which have escalated in recent months in response to the removal of fuel subsidies and a controversial electoral law. The government has made several attempts to appease the public, with mixed results. As elections approach, it is an important moment to review recent political developments in Jordan, as well as the reactions of opposition movements and the general public.

What are the various roles played by the different movements in Jordan’s political environment – how have formal political parties, youth movements, and online activism interacted with each other and affected Jordanian politics? And what role have new forms of media played in Jordan’s politics over the past two years? What impact have external conflicts in neighboring areas – such as Syria and the Palestinian territories – had on domestic political developments in Jordan? What might we expect from the upcoming parliamentary elections themselves? Which parties are participating, which are boycotting, and which are poised for success? And what are the potential consequences for U.S. strategic interests and policy in the region?

Please join us for a discussion with:

Mariam Abu Adas
Deputy Director, Ruwwad
Editor, 7iber.com

Jeremy Sharp
Specialist in Middle East Affairs,
Congressional Research Service

Naseem Tarawnah
Blogger, black-iris.com
Co-founder, 7iber.com

Cole Bockenfeld (Moderator)
Director of Advocacy,
Project on Middle East Democracy