Partners in Peril: Hybrid Threats Come for Jordan

Insider: Short of War

By Anthony Marco a US Army officer and advisor to the Irregular Warfare Initiative's Proxies and Partners Special Project. This article is part of Project Proxies and Partners, which explores the promises and pitfalls of security cooperation in war, at peace, and in between.

Anthony Marco examines the complex security challenges facing Jordan, a key U.S. ally in the Middle East. Marco analyzes how Iran, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood are leveraging hybrid warfare tactics, including disinformation campaigns and weapons smuggling, to destabilize the Jordanian monarchy. The author argues that while Jordan has played a crucial role in regional counterterrorism efforts and in countering Iranian aggression, it faces growing internal and external threats that could potentially upend the regional balance of power. Marco concludes by proposing that the United States should develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Jordan's military capabilities and political resilience, emphasizing the need for enhanced foreign internal defense, counterterrorism support, and military information support operations to complement ongoing efforts to bolster Jordan's conventional military strength.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official position of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, the Modern War Institute at West Point, or the United States Government.

The essay can be found on the Irregular Warfare Initiative's website.

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