Jordan at a crossroads: Navigating Trump's Middle East ambitions

Jordan Times

09-02-2025

The proposed "Middle East Riviera' or 'Mediterranean Dubai' project has recently captured widespread attention. The initiative closely resembles real estate development plans designed to attract investors.
The idea was presented by US President Donald Trump, known for his persistence and determination to impose his opinion. However, the project, whose details remain vague, seems more like a conceptual discussion that overlooks complex political, security and logistical challenges. Without genuine solutions beyond marketing slogans, it may prove unfeasible.
News indicate that Trump gathered top American companies, including defence contractors, energy giants, real estate developers and hospitality firms, to assess the project. This suggests that the proposed solutions are economically driven rather than political.
If the necessary conditions for the project's success are not met, or if the risks of failure increase, it will likely fade into obscurity, especially with growing Arab, regional and international opposition. Nonetheless, launching such a complex project in this simplified manner might serve a different purpose — preparing the groundwork for demographic displacement, even if only on a small scale at the beginning.
After a year and a half of conflict involving Israel in the region, Jordan faces the practical consequences of open fronts, particularly the displacement from Gaza and the West Bank, the unstable security situation in Syria, and the potential repercussions of Israeli moves toward Iraq and Iran.
The pressure on Jordan from these developments is expected and may intensify. As such, Jordan must adopt a highly refined political approach capable of skillfully managing these pressures. It should operate within the framework of realistic policies, particularly when dealing with challenges from the United States, which is experiencing an unprecedented phase that requires delicate handling.
Jordan's true strength lies in its alliances, which must be maintained and leveraged to secure its importance politically and security-wise, beyond mere geography. The unified Arab stance rejecting Trump's propositions concerning Gaza and its residents could be a significant asset in the coming phase. However, practical alternatives must also be offered to develop gradual solutions while maximising economic benefits within new frameworks.
In this context, Saudi Arabia plays a particularly pivotal role, not only due to its historical reference as the initiator of the Arab Peace Initiative, but also because of the Trump administration's ambitious view of Saudi Arabia politically and economically. His Majesty King Abdullah's meeting with Trump, directly following his meetings with Netanyahu and before meeting the Egyptian president, presents a valuable opportunity for Egypt and Jordan to build a 'rationalised solutions framework' for the coming phase.
Although room for maneuvering may be limited, given Trump's desire to appear as a problem-solver early in his presidency, this opportunity must not be wasted and should be seized, even partially, to achieve success.