Jordan/Lebanon

 

Who: Jordan

 

Overview:

 

  • Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
  • A constitutional monarchy under King Abdullah II
  • Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour
  • Inclusive and tolerant with little division in its population of 8 million people; 98% Arab and 97% Sunni Muslim

 

Priorities:

  • Security (the north borders Syria)
  • Continue to aid in the fight against Salafist groups/ ISIS
  • Deal with the influx of refugees

Support:

  • Good relations with the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, EU and recently Russia
  • Jordan is also hosting American troops to help train their army and Syrian rebel groups

 

Political Associations:

  • Wants the removal of Assad, but also does not want him to be replaced by Salafist or jihadist groups
  • King Abdullah wants a moderate Muslim (Sunni) State for Syria.

 

Criticisms:

  • Jordan hosts around 600,000 Syrian refugees
  • Leaders, as well as the UN, fear that refugee camps may be radicalized
  • The UNHCR criticizes the living conditions for refugees
  • Concern about the economic impact of trying to provide adequate resources for the refugee camps

Who: Lebanon

Overview:

  • Republic with a political history of sectarianism and political instability since its civil war (1975-1990)
  • Prime minister Tammam Salam currently serving as president
  • Population: 6 million people, 27% Sunni Muslim, 27% Shia Muslim and 40.5% Christian

Priorities:

  • In order to achieve political stability, Lebanon’s government needs to balance its diverse population  
  • Cope with the great influx of refugees without further destabilizing their political balance or economy

Support:

  • Lebanon is being supported by Iran through Hezbollah which has not only been fighting for Assad but has joined with the Lebanese Army to defend its land against ISIS
  • Saudi Arabia has helped fund Sunni groups in Lebanon to counter Iran’s influence

Political Associations:

  • Lebanon currently has no president and has not had a parliamentary election in 6 years
  • Lebanon’s government wants to remain fairly neutral in the Syrian crisis but the divided population does take certain sides (Hezbollah/Iran, Sunni/anti Assad/anti Hezbollah)

Criticisms:

  • ⅓ of Lebanon’s population are Syrian refugees (1.4 million).  
  • Local leaders, as well as the UN, fear that refugee camps may be radicalized
  • The UNHCR criticizes the living conditions for refugees
  • Concern about the economic impact of trying to provide adequate resources for the refugee camps