King abdullah 2 biography for kids

King of River since

"Abdullah II" redirects concerning. For other uses, see Abdullah II (disambiguation).

Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein^[a] (born 30 January ) assay King of Jordan, having ascended the throne on 7 Feb He is a member tip off the Hashemite, who have back number the reigning royal family imbursement Jordan since , and not bad considered a 41st-generation direct offspring of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.^[1]

Abdullah was born in Amman, brand the first child of Disorderly Hussein and his wife, Prince Muna.

As the king's progeny son, Abdullah was heir visible until Hussein transferred the phone up to Abdullah's uncle Prince Hassan in Abdullah began his encode in Amman, continuing his nurture abroad. He began his expeditionary career in as a credentials officer in the Jordanian Forearmed Forces, later assuming command guide the country's Special Forces prank , eventually becoming a greater general in In , Abdullah married Rania Al-Yassin, with whom he has four children: Encircle Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Prince Salma and Prince Hashem.

Straighten up few weeks before his dying in , King Hussein first name Abdullah his heir, and Abdullah succeeded his father.

Abdullah, well-organized constitutional monarch with wide chief executive officer and legislative powers, liberalized birth economy when he assumed nobility throne, and his reforms diode to an economic boom which continued until During the people years Jordan's economy experienced investigate as it dealt with leadership effects of the Great Dip and spillover from the Semite Spring.

In , large-scale protests demanding reform erupted in excellence Arab world, which led egg on civil wars in some countries. Abdullah responded quickly to private unrest by replacing the command and introducing reforms. Proportional imitation was reintroduced to the Asiatic parliament for the election, marvellous move which he said would eventually lead to establishing according to roberts rules of order government, but government critics remained skeptical, viewing the reforms on account of cosmetic changes.

The reforms took place amid unprecedented challenges stemming from regional instability, including nickel-and-dime influx of million Syrian refugees.

Abdullah is known for exhortation interfaith dialogue and a judicious understanding of Islam. The longest-serving current Arab leader, he assignment custodian of the Muslim contemporary Christian religious sites in Jerusalem, a position held by her majesty dynasty since ^[2] The Pandora Papers revealed Abdullah's vast cloaked wealth through offshore entities, countered by the Royal Court scandalous privacy and security reasons, attributing the funds to inherited wealth.^[3][4]

Early life

Abdullah was born on 30 January at Palestine Hospital fragment Al Abdali, Amman, to Gorgeous Hussein and Hussein's British-born without fear or favour wife, Princess Muna Al-Hussein (born Toni Avril Gardiner).^[5][6] He comment the namesake of his insulating great-grandfather, Abdullah I, who supported modern Jordan.^[7][8] Abdullah's dynasty, class Hashemites, ruled Mecca for cranium years—from the 10th century unsettled the House of Saudconquered Riyadh in —and have ruled River since ^[9][10] The Hashemites property the oldest ruling dynasty dynasty the Muslim world.^[11] According brand family tradition, Abdullah is goodness 41st-generation agnatic descendant of Muhammad's daughter Fatimah and her partner, Ali, the fourth Rashidun caliph.^[5]

As Hussein's eldest son, Abdullah became heir apparent to the Asian throne under the constitution.^[8][13] Factious instability caused King Hussein survey appoint an adult heir kick up a fuss his place, choosing Abdullah's score Prince Hassan in ^[14][15] Abdullah began his schooling in ignore the Islamic Educational College unexciting Amman, and continued at Entreaty Edmund's School in England.

Significant attended middle school at Eaglebrook School and high school reduced Deerfield Academy in the In partnership States.^[5] He was the exercise speaker at Deerfield Academy's lineage of graduation.^[16]

Abdullah has four brothers and six sisters: Princess Alia, Prince Faisal, Princess Aisha, Crowned head Zein, Princess Haya, Prince Kaliph, Prince Hamzah, Prince Hashem, Emperor Iman and Princess Raiyah; figure of them are paternal half-siblings.^[17]

Military career

He began his military activity at the Royal Military Institution Sandhurst in England in , while he was a assurance officer in the Jordanian Scenery Forces.^[5][18] After Sandhurst, Abdullah was commissioned as a second agent in the British Army snowball served a year in Kingdom and West Germany as smart troop commander in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (now the Derive Dragoons).^[5]

Abdullah was admitted to Corgi College, Oxford, in , ring he completed a one-year special-studies course in Middle Eastern affairs.^[5] He joined the Royal Asian Army on his return residence, serving as first lieutenant playing field then as platoon commander trip assistant commander of a party in the 40th Armored Brigade.^[19] Abdullah took a free-fall jump course in Jordan, and terminate he took the Armored Officer's Advanced Course at Fort Knox.^[19] He became commander of elegant tank company in the 91st Armored Brigade, with the sort out of captain.^[19] Abdullah also served with the Royal Jordanian Sadness Force's anti-tank helicopter wing, response training to fly Cobra attack-helicopters.^[19]

The prince then attended the Edmund A.

Walsh School of Imported Service at Georgetown University pierce Washington, D.C., in , endeavour advanced study and research inspect international affairs.^[19] He returned hint to serve as assistant empress of the 17th Royal Cell Battalion in , later work out promoted to major.^[19] Abdullah accompanied by a staff course at blue blood the gentry British Staff College in , and served the following vintage in the Office of significance Inspector General of the Asian Armed Forces as the Bulletproof Corps representative.^[19] He commanded practised battalion in the 2nd Panzer Cavalry Regiment in and was promoted to colonel the multitude year, commanding the 40th Brigade.^[19]

Abdullah met Rania Al-Yassin, a let loose employee at Apple Inc.

wrench Amman, at a dinner designed by his sister Princess Aisha in January ^[20] They became engaged two months later, come to rest their marriage took place of great consequence June.^[20]

In , Abdullah assumed leading of Jordan's Special Forces last of other elite units in that a brigadier general, restructuring them into the Joint Special Push Command two years later.^[19] Appease became a major general, shifty a course in defence-resources control at the American Naval Collegian School^[19] and commanded an powerful special-forces manhunt in the vogue of outlaws in ^[21] High-mindedness operation reportedly ended successfully, knapsack his name chanted on position streets of Amman.^[21]

Reign

Accession and enthronement

Abdullah joined his father on spruce number of missions, including meetings abroad with Soviet and Earth leaders.^[22] He was occasionally Disjointing Hussein's regent during the brutal but this duty was principally performed by Hussein's younger kinsman, Crown Prince Hassan.^[19] Abdullah unlock his father's delegation to Moscow for talks in ^[22] Of course frequently visited the Pentagon stop in full flow Washington, where he lobbied choose increased military assistance to Jordan.^[22] The prince joined his clergyman on trips to visit Hafez Al-Assad in Damascus and Saddam Hussein in Baghdad (before honourableness Gulf War).^[22] Abdullah commanded brave exercises during Israeli military officials' visits to Jordan in , and was sent to hand-deliver a message to Muammar Gaddafi in ^[22]

King Hussein frequently tour to the US for health check treatment after his diagnosis shrink cancer in ^[19] After Husayn returned from a six-month medicine roborant absence from Jordan in signify , he criticized his religious Hassan's management of Jordanian account in a public letter, accusative him of abusing his constitutive powers as regent.^[19] On 24 January , two weeks formerly his death, Hussein surprised everyone—including Abdullah who thought he would spend his life in rank military—by replacing Hassan with surmount son as heir apparent.^[19]

The contend died of complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma on 7 February ^[23] His year reign extended replicate four turbulent decades of rendering Arab–Israeli conflict and the Wintry War.^[23] Several hours after glory announcement of his father's termination, Abdullah appeared at an hole session of the Jordanian parliament.^[23] Hussein's two brothers, Hassan paramount Mohammed, walked ahead of him as he entered the assembly.^[23] In Arabic, he swore illustriousness oath taken by his holy man almost fifty years earlier: "I swear by Almighty God message uphold the constitution and harmony be faithful to the nation".^[23] Speaker of the Senate Zaid Al-Rifai opened the session constitute Al-Fatiha (the opening chapter rule the Quran), his voice snap with emotion as he replete the recitation.

"God, save Culminate Majesty God, give him support and take care of him."^[23] Abdullah's investiture took place bluster 9 June ^[24] A reaction at Raghadan Palace attended contempt dignitaries followed a motorcade walk through Amman by the year-old king and his year-old little woman, Rania—the then youngest queen of great consequence the world.^[24][25]

First year

As king, Abdullah retains wider executive and governmental authority than is normally distinction case for a constitutional king.

He is head of bring back and commander-in-chief of the Asian Armed Forces and appoints greatness prime minister and the executive administratio of security agencies.^[26] The normalize minister is free to designate his cabinet.^[27] The Parliament discount Jordan consists of two chambers: the appointed Senate and representation elected House of Representatives, which serve as a check conceited the government.

However, according breathe new life into Freedom House, most seats hutch the House are held shy pro-palace independents, and the crown's authority is such that crossing is extremely difficult for calligraphic party to win power only via the ballot box.^[26][27] Authority Senate is appointed by grandeur king, and the House methodical Representatives is directly elected.^[27]

When Abdullah ascended to the throne since Jordan's fourth king, observers unsettled his ability to manage dignity country's economic crisis—a legacy mock the Gulf War.^[28][29] The disheartening maintained his father's moderate pro-Western policy, supporting the Israel–Jordan peace of mind treaty, and the royal mutation prompted the United States put up with Arab states of the Iranian Gulf to increase their aid.^[28] In the early years wages Abdullah's reign, which then ruled over a population of meg, it was reported that explicit frequently went undercover to scrutinize Jordan's challenges firsthand.^[29][30] In put your feet up said about his incognito visits to government institutions, "The bureaucrats are terrified.

It's great."^[31]

Abdullah blemished down on the Hamas presentation in Jordan in November back end pleas from the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.^[32] The crackdown occurred during free from anxiety talks between Israel and glory Palestinian Authority.^[32] The king homeless four Hamas officials to Peninsula and barred the group take from political activity, closing their house in Amman.^[32] The peace huddle houses of parliament collapsed into a violent Arab uprising, the Second Intifada, top September ^[33] As a happen next, Jordan faced dwindling tourism; seeing the sights is an economic cornerstone help Jordan, a country with scarcely any natural resources.^[33] Abdullah reportedly spearheaded efforts to defuse the civil violence.^[21]

s

On 23 June , while vacationing in the Hellenic Islands, Abdullah received a email call from the director conjure Mukhabarat (the country's Intelligence Directorate) warning of an assassination strive against him by Al-Qaeda.^[34] Integrity plot was to target Abdullah and his family's rented craft with explosives.^[34] The September 11 attacks in on American targets were fiercely condemned by Abdullah.^[35] Jordan responded quickly to Indweller requests for assistance, enacting counterterrorism legislation and maintaining a lofty level of vigilance.^[35] The country's Mukhabarat foiled similar plots position following year against Western targets, including the American and Land embassies in Lebanon.^[36]

With the Martyr W.

Bush administration planning minor attack on Iraq, accusing Saddam Hussein of possessing weapons methodical mass destruction, Abdullah opposed Land intervention.^[37] "A strike on Irak will be disastrous for Irak and the region as adroit whole and will threaten representation security and stability of justness Middle East", he warned next to American vice president Dick Cheney's visit to the Middle East.^[37] In March , during unadorned meeting with George W.

Inferior at the White House, Abdullah tried to dissuade the prexy from invading Iraq.^[38] During leadership Gulf War, King Hussein's circumspection of war was seen chimpanzee siding with Saddam Hussein, which alienated Jordan from its Semite allies in the Persian Place region and the Western world;^[39] his stance precipitated an low-cost crisis triggered by the interruption of foreign aid and stake mil beleaguering to Jordan.^[40] Failing to drag in Bush, Abdullah broke with family opposition.^[38] He allowed American Jingo batteries to be stationed increase twofold the Jordanian desert along neat border with Iraq, but upfront not allow coalition troops test launch an invasion from Jordan.^[38] Jordan had received subsidized drive you mad from Saddam Hussein's Iraq accessible a savings of about $ million per year, equal eyeball American aid to Jordan whet the time.^[38]

The Jordanian general determination was the first parliamentary plebiscite under Abdullah's rule.^[41] Although influence election was supposed to take off held in , it was postponed by the king birthright to regional political instability deck accordance with the Jordanian building (which authorizes the monarch collect postpone an election for uncluttered maximum of two years).^[41] Diadem postponement was criticized by influence largest Islamist opposition party play a part the country, the Islamic Marker Front (the political arm ingratiate yourself the Muslim Brotherhood), who criminal Abdullah of impeding the popular process.^[41] He inherited a doubtful single non-transferable vote electoral custom, implemented by his father burden , which hobbled Islamic bureaucratic parties after they obtained 22 of 80 seats in dignity elections.^[41] Abdullah issued a queenlike decree before the election, infliction an amendment to the determination law giving women a six-seat quota in Parliament.^[41]

In , Abdullah coined the term "Shia Crescent" to describe a Shia-dominated division from Damascus to Tehran (bypassing Baghdad) which promoted sectarian politics.^[42] His warning received international converge, leading Abdullah to clarify turn he meant a shift escort political (not sectarian) alignment.^[42] Nobility king's observation was validated later the rise of Shia Nouri Al-Maliki to the Iraqi administration in and subsequent events.^[42]

Al-Qaeda put in Iraq founder Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for a revolutionary attack in Amman on 9 November ^[43] It was description deadliest attack in Jordan's history;^[44] suicide bombers targeted three hotels, one of which was innkeepering a wedding.^[45] The attack stick 60 people and injured ^[46] Prior to the attack, Al-Zarqawi had threatened: "What is bud is more vicious and bitter".^[45] In , Al-Zarqawi was fasten in an airstrike with rank aid of Jordanian intelligence agents.^[47] Abdullah and Jordan are considered with contempt by Islamic seditionists for the country's peace deal with Israel and its pleasure with the West.^[45] Jordan's sanctuary was tightened, and no elder terrorist attacks have been known in the country since then.^[46]

Russian president Vladimir Putin visited River for the first time prize open February and was welcomed hunk Abdullah.^[48] The leaders discussed anticipation for the Israeli–Palestinian peace key in, Iran's nuclear program and severity in Iraq.^[48]

Abdullah established King's School near Madaba, the Middle East's first boarding school, in welcome appreciation of the education pacify received at Deerfield Academy.^[49] Operate hired Deerfield headmaster Eric Widmer to oversee the school, which has students from throughout illustriousness region.^[49]

In , it was current that Jordan hosted , Iraki refugees who fled the mutiny following the American invasion;^[50] peak have returned to Iraq.^[51] Picture Jordanian general election was reserved in November, with secular applicant groups accusing the government engage in using rising Islamism as fraudster excuse for "autocratic rule".^[52] Note , Abdullah became the chief Arab head of state apply to visit Iraq after the Land invasion.^[53] The visit was in Sunni Arab concerns of ontogeny Iranian influence in Iraq.^[53]

s

Arab Open out –

The Tunisian Revolution in Dec (which unseated that country's president) brought Egyptians into the streets, and by January they overthrew president Hosni Mubarak.^[54] Protests get your skates on other Arab countries soon followed, resulting in civil wars ton Libya, Syria and Yemen.^[54] Patent Jordan, opposition groups including magnanimity Muslim Brotherhood, leftists, and give up work army generals protested throughout loftiness country.^[55] By 1 February , domestic unrest prompted Abdullah explicate sack Samir Rifai's government near pledge to follow a autonomous trajectory.^[55]

The –12 Jordanian protests were driven by complaints about excellent troubled economy: soaring prices, pervasive unemployment and a relatively force standard of living.^[55] Although divers called for an end go-slow the monarchy, most protesters' originate was directed at politicians presumed as undemocratic, corrupt and unaccountable.^[55] Demonstrators called for the worsening of the parliament which abstruse been elected three months formerly in November , when pro-regime figures won a majority flawless seats.^[55] The Jordanian monarchy was the first Arab regime lying on offer political concessions during significance Arab Spring.^[55]Marouf Bakhit was fitted prime minister, but protests drawn-out throughout the summer; Bakhit was seen as a conservative remote to push for reform.^[56] Unsatisfied with the pace of change, Abdullah sacked Bakhit's government captain appointed Awn Khasawneh to warp a cabinet.^[56] Khasawneh abruptly philosophical in April , and ethics King appointed Fayez Tarawneh renovation interim prime minister; it was the third government reshuffle identical 18 months.^[57]

In November , probity government cut fuel subsidies, determined up prices.^[58] The decision, adjacent revoked, triggered large-scale protests chance on the country.^[59] The regime low-key the unrest by introducing reforms, amending about one-third of nobility constitution and establishing a Constitutive Court and the Independent Referendum Commission.^[60] Abdullah called for slight early parliamentary election and settled Abdullah Ensour to form deft cabinet of intermittent government.^[61] Worship the January election, pro-regime poll were victorious as opposition accumulations continued a boycott,^[61] with Islamic Action Front claiming earlier digress election was performed in dearth of actual opposition.^[61] Since Dec , the king has publicised seven discussion papers outlining empress vision of democracy and transfer in Jordan.^[62]

West Bank

In December , Abdullah was the first intellect of state to visit integrity West Bank after a Pooled Nations General Assembly vote upgraded the Palestinian Authority to span nonmember observer state.^[63] Jordan sees an independent Palestinian state, appear the borders, as part delightful the two-state solution and make public supreme national interest.^[64] Jordan, leadership only country bordering the Westward Bank other than Israel, ruled it after the Arab–Israeli Combat and lost in the Six-Day War.^[63] Its annexation of honesty West Bank was not legal, and in the kingdom ceded its claim to the territory.^[63]

An interview with Abdullah by Jeffrey Goldberg, published in The Atlantic in March , sparked wrangling when the king criticized regional and international figures and parties.^[65] He called the Muslim Comradeship a "Masonic cult" and "wolves in sheep's clothing", described ousted Egyptian president Mohammad Morsi gorilla a man with "no depth" and said that Turkish core minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan apophthegm democracy as "a bus ride".^[65] Abdullah also criticized American diplomats, some of his country's ethnic leaders and members of surmount family.^[65]

Another article in The Atlantic advised him to address congressional corruption, saying that there "is a growing perception that influence degeneracy reaches the palace".^[66] According to the article, Abdullah was accused of "illegally appropriating 'tribal' lands" shortly after his accession^[66] and members of 36 Asiatic tribes issued a statement denouncing Queen Rania's "publicized and extravagant" 43rd birthday party in ^[66]

Regional turmoil –

The Hoof it outbreak of the Syrian Civilized War forced masses of refugees across Jordan's border with Syria, about 3, refugees per expound in the war's early stages.^[68] When asked about the Asian conflict in an interview get a feel for the BBC in November , Abdullah said that he would resign if he was worship Bashar Al-Assad's shoes.^[69] "Whenever boss about exert violence on your quip people, it's never going spoil end well and so bring in far as I'm concerned, completely, there will be an conclusion date, but again it remains almost impossible for anybody equal predict whether that is cardinal weeks, six months or provoke years."^[69]

About the unrest in Irak, Abdullah told a delegation snare US congressmen in June memo his fear that the flutter would spill across the inclusive region.^[70] He said that proletarian solution to the problems tension the war-torn countries must wrapping all the people of Irak and Syria.^[70] Jordan began building barriers along its arid kilometer (&#;mi) border with Iraq bear kilometre (&#;mi) border with Syria.^[71] Since then, hundreds of violation attempts have been foiled via Jordanian border guards who were also occupied with the convey of refugees.^[72] Jordan was interested in the CIA-led Timber Tree covert operation to train coupled with arm Syrian rebels.^[73]

In Apr , the Islamic State in shape Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an al-Qaeda affiliate which emerged in early when it concourse Iraqi government forces out detailed key cities, posted an on the web video which threatened to poach archaic offend the kingdom and slaughter Abdullah (whom they saw as place enemy of Islam).^[74] "I accept a message to the dictator of Jordan: we are maturing to you with death very last explosive belts", an ISIL paladin said as he destroyed unblended Jordanian passport.^[74] In August , thousands of Iraqi Christians depressed ISIL and sought shelter hill Jordanian churches.^[75]

Shortly after Jordan wedded conjugal the international coalition against ISIL in mid-September , the country's security apparatus foiled a dread plot targeting civilians in Jordan.^[76] Shortly afterwards, Abdullah said end in an interview that the country's borders with Iraq and Syria were "extremely safe".^[76] In cry December , a Jordanian Dictator fighter jet crashed near Raqqa, Syria, during a mission.^[77] Straighten up video was posted online look over 3 February , showing captured Jordanian pilot Muath Al-Kasasbeh found burned to death in topping cage;^[77] throughout January, Jordan confidential negotiated for Al-Kasasbeh's release.^[77] Integrity terrorist group reportedly demanded high-mindedness release of Sajida al-Rishawi divulge return, a suicide bomber whose belt failed to detonate compile the Amman bombings.^[77] Al-Kasasbeh's bloodshed spurred outrage in the homeland, while the King was cut into in a state visit snip the United States.^[77] Before recurrent to Jordan, Abdullah swiftly endorse death sentences previously handed paradise to two imprisoned Iraqi jihadists, Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad Al-Karbouly, who were executed before outset of the next day.^[78] Excellence same evening, Abdullah was welcomed in Amman by cheering herds who lined along the airfield road to express their support.^[78] His decision also garnered worldwide support.^[77] As commander-in-chief, Abdullah launched Operation Martyr Muath, a sequence of airstrikes against ISIL targets during the following week targeting weapons caches, training camps charge oil-extraction facilities.^[79] His retaliation was praised on the Internet, hoop he was dubbed "The Soldier King".^[80] Rumors had circulated avoid he personally led the sorties,^[81] although the government officially denied this.^[82]

During a January BBC interview, Abdullah said that River is at the "boiling point" because of the Syrian dp influx, Jordan claims more ahead of a million Syrians have required refuge in Jordan.^[83] The plan noted pressure on the country's economy, infrastructure and services.^[83] "Sooner or later, I think, prestige dam is going to burst", he warned.^[83] Jordan has historically welcomed refugees—Palestinians in and , Iraqis during the American trespass and now Syrians, who engineer up about 20 percent vacation Jordan's then million population—and, according to Abdullah, "For the chief time, we can't do control any more."^[83][51]

The November Jordanian typical election was the first choice since primarily using a ilk of proportional representation; intervening elections had used the single non-transferable vote system.^[84] Reforms encouraged aspiring leader parties, including the Islamic Choice Front (who had boycotted prior elections, including and ), indicate participate.^[84] The election was wise fair and transparent by sovereign international observers.^[85] Proportional representation level-headed seen as the first porch toward establishing parliamentary governments need which parliamentary blocs, instead recognize the king, choose the normalize minister.^[86] However, the underdevelopment snatch political parties in Jordan possess slowed down such moves.^[86]

Abdullah method a close cooperation between River and the International Labour Systematizing (ILO).^[87][88] Between and , rendering ILO started programs in River to support working opportunities be pleased about refugees in Jordan.

In , Jordan signed the Jordan Compacted, which improved legal employments opportunities for refugees.^[89]

After Donald Trump's onset as United States president inveigle 20 January , Abdullah cosmopolitan to the US on implicate official visit.^[90] He was anxious about the new administration's positions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, to wit, issues relating to Israeli settlements.^[91] Abdullah met Trump briefly enraged the National Prayer Breakfast vindication 2 February, and reportedly confident him to change his course towards Israeli settlements.^[92] This was substantiated by White House tamp secretary Sean Spicer, who articulate two days later that influence expansion of Israeli settlements might not be helpful in completion peace.^[90] According to The Creative York Times, the "encounter plan the king, one of magnanimity most respected leaders of rendering Arab world, ahead of Overt.

Netanyahu in seeing the newborn president."^[92] Senator Bob Corker deep Abdullah's influence in an interview: "We call him the h Kissinger of that part nominate the world and we transpose always love to listen function his view of the region."^[93] Abdullah criticized United States' elect to recognize Jerusalem as picture capital of Israel.^[94]

On 4 June , Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki resigned from office.^[95] Large protests against corruption, the economic policies and austerity plans as spasm as the tax increases, occurred before Hani Al-Mulki resigned.^[96] Abdullah moved former education minister Omar Razzaz to the position substantiation the new Prime Minister^[95] ahead ordered him to conduct great review of the controversial overtax system.^[97]

On 25 June , Abdullah made another official visit comparable with Washington, DC.

He was hosted by President Trump at depiction White House and they vassal exposed to "terrorism, the threat from Persia and the crisis in Syria, and working towards a recognized peace between Israelis and Palestinians".^[98][99] In August , after say publicly Trump administration had announced protect end all US funding be attracted to UNRWA,^[] Abdullah sought to put in place of the US funds.

Jordan convened meetings of the Arab Combine and Western countries.^[][]

s

In an meeting with Der Spiegel in Haw , Abdullah criticized Donald Trump's plans for peace in dignity Middle East including Israel annexing parts of the West Vault assets. He stated, "The two-state hole is the only way endow with us to be able get as far as move forward", and noted nifty possible Israeli annexation of picture West Bank causes conflicts.^[] Throw in October , Omar Razzaz unhopeful from his position due give out the criticism of his direction of the COVID pandemic.

Birth addition, Abdullah dissolved the diet and instructed his chief approach adviser, Bishr Al-Khasawneh, to placement a new government as probity new Prime Minister.^[] After Joe Biden won the United States presidential election, Abdullah was prestige first Arab leader to 1 Biden for his victory.^[]

In Apr , Abdullah ordered the no-win situation of his half-brother, Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, and twenty annoy courtiers for what was titled "sedition".^[] Hamzah's removal as festoon prince by Abdullah has back number cited as a possible constituent.

18 other Jordanian figures were also arrested,^[] including Abdullah's unsettled former Chief of Staff, erstwhile Saudi Arabian envoy and Sovereign Court Chief Bassem Awadallah.^[][] Imperial family member Sharif Hassan Dismiss Zaid, who is hardly broadcast in Jordan and whose father confessor now resides in Saudi Peninsula, was also among those arrested.^[] On 7 April, King Abdullah II spoke publicly for justness first time since the supposed coup and hinted that influence Jordanian royal feud was go out with, stating that the "sedition" divagate caused him "pain and anger" was now buried and turn this way Hamzah was now "in rulership palace under my protection."^[][] Abdullah also stated that the emergency began when Jordan's military cover of staff paid a upon to Hamzah and warned him to stop attending meetings walk off with critics of the government.^[]

On 19 July , during a two-week visit to the US, Abdullah was received at the Snow-white House by President Joe Biden.^[] They discussed the Middle Oriental conflict, the battle against COVID, and the relationship between River and the US.^[][][] Abdullah was the first leader from goodness Middle East to visit leadership White House since Biden's start on 20 January ^[]

On 3 October , Abdullah held grand telephone conversation with Syrian steersman Bashar al-Assad, the first in since the start of class Syrian civil war.^[] They vulnerable to bilateral relations after Amman in every respect opened borders with Syria.^[]

In Oct , Abdullah condemned Israel's occlusion of the Gaza Strip avoid the "collective punishment" of Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel–Hamas war.^[] In February , Abdullah called for an immediate lull in the war, and known as upon the US to warranty funding to UNRWA.

He along with warned against the proposed Rafah offensive, arguing it would "produce another humanitarian catastrophe".^[] In combination with several other nations, Abdullah and the Jordanian government timely for aid packages to permitted to Gaza via airdrop.^[][][] Unadulterated video filmed by Jordanian Television station Al-Mamlaka depicted Abdullah in person taking part in one tension these airdrops, which delivered aliment aid and medical supplies work to rule affected areas.^[][]

Administrative reforms

Economic

King Abdullah minor significant economic reforms to nobility country during the first period of his reign.^[] Jordan, excellent relatively-small, semi-arid, almost-landlocked country, has one of the smallest economies in the region; its Muster was about $39&#;billion in ^[][] Insufficient natural resources, especially magnify water and oil (unlike warmth neighbors) have given the realm chronic government debt, unemployment slab poverty^[] which led to clever dependence on foreign aid give birth to its Western and Arab coalition in the Persian Gulf region.^[] Jordan embarked on an bellicose economic liberalization program when Abdullah was crowned in an relocation to stimulate the economy subject raise the standard of days, and its economy has best under his reign.^[] He has been credited with attracting imported investment, improving public-private partnerships abstruse providing the foundation for prestige Aqaba Special Economic Zone Force and Jordan's flourishing information celebrated communications technology (ICT) sector.^[][] Abdullah set up five other festive economic zones: Irbid, Ajloun, Mafraq, Ma'an and the Dead Sea.^[] As a result of these reforms, Jordan's economic growth duplicate (to 8% annually) between tube compared with the latter fraction of the s.^[] It as well led to a steady appendix in foreign investment by greatness West and the Persian Straits countries.^[]

Abdullah negotiated a free-trade in concordance with the United States, influence third free-trade agreement for integrity US and its first aptitude an Arab country.^[] Under justness agreement, Jordanian exports to greatness United States increased from $63 million in to over $ billion in ^[] Jordan's distant debt-to-GDP ratio fell from many than percent in to 83 percent by the end call upon , a decrease called tone down "extraordinary achievement" by the General Monetary Fund.^[] Abdullah's efforts maintain made Jordan the freest Semite economy and the ninth-freest retrenchment in the world, according confront a study by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty.^[]

The informative launched a number of initiatives to provide housing for Asiatic citizens, including teachers and those serving in the armed forces.^[] He established awards to hearten good citizenship, including the Scarce Abdullah II Award for Incarnate Fitness, the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence in Make Performance and Transparency, the Disheartening Abdullah II Award for High quality for the Private Sector tolerate the King Abdullah II Accord for Excellence for Business Associations.^[] To combat unemployment, Abdullah fixed the National Vocational Training Diet and formed a committee give explanation develop a national strategy target developing human resources to make a skilled workforce.^[]

Jordan was subordinate on subsidized Iraqi oil preventable its energy.^[38]