Chapter 3: Persian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula
Jordan: Overview
Facts
/ Geography, Climate / Cities
/ Posture Statement Excerpt
Leadership
/ System Essentials / Infrastructure
/ Population / Fielded Forces
/ Table of Contents
Most of the East Bank is arid desert. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the surface of the earth (more than 400 meters below sea level), while Jabal Ramm (1,754 meters) is Jordan's highest point. Except for a short coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan is landlocked.
Jordan's climate is dry and hot. Although the average annual temperature is 60 degrees F, there are large seasonal variations. Temperatures in the south-east near the Dead Sea can exceed 120 degrees F in the summer.
Jordan's moderate, pro-Western orientation remains important to U.S. strategy in the region. Bilateral relations with the U.S. have steadily improved since the Gulf War when Jordan took an unpopular pro-Iraqi stance. On 26 October 1994, King Hussein signed a peace treaty with Israel, formally ending over four decades of war. Jordan has also encouraged the Palestinians to continue negotiations with Israel. Jordan has made a significant military contribution to the international peacekeeping effort in the former Yugoslavia, and has largely regained its position as a voice of moderation and reason in the region. In addition, Jordan has posted an excellent human rights record, and is one of the few countries in the region willing to grant expatriate Palestinians the full rights of citizens.
Although it has proved to be financially and logistically difficult, Jordan is attempting to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq, formerly its largest trading partner. The U.S. continues to work closely with Jordanian officials to devise procedures to minimize the adverse effects the inspection process has on the Jordanian economy.
As a result of improved relations, our security assistance relationship with Jordan has been expanded. The program's hiatus had seriously degraded Jordan's military capability, and we are working to help them achieve an improved state of readiness. An important component of this program is the renewal of our combined exercise program, which has returned to pre-Gulf War levels.