Commentary
July 23, 2026
US Secretary Marco Rubio (R) stands with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi as they appear briefly before the media as they meet at the State Department in Washington, DC, on July 14, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
5 min read
The loss of several American servicemen in Jordan this week underscores the centrality of the Hashemite Kingdom to U.S. policy in the region. Jordan and America have been close partners for over 70 years, first under King Hussein and now under his son King Abdullah II. The United States was a key player in securing the Israel-Jordan peace treaty in 1994. Relations are particularly close in the intelligence sector, and the king often sends messages to Washington via that channel.
