(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) David Schenker - The Islamic State threatens Jordan, and the group is hoping to open a new front inside the kingdom. In recent weeks, Jordanian authorities have reportedly arrested fifty supporters of ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra. Along with ongoing border infiltration attempts, there are increased reports of local funerals for Jordanian ISIS members killed in Syria. Even before 1.5 million Syrian refugees entered Jordan, the kingdom was struggling economically. Even if Jordan's security solution to Islamist militancy is effective in the short term, the kingdom will become increasingly fertile ground for local recruitment if the economy does not improve. Civil disturbances are already a regular occurrence outside the capital.
2014-09-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive