Jordan In The Shadow Of Nasserist Egypt: Rule Of Al-Husain

The aim of this article is analysis of external factors that led to destabilization of Jordan monarchy in the first period of rule of king al-Ḥusain, who was crowned in May 1953. Jordan soon became involved into the Arab politics, which was formulated by Egyptian president ʽAbd al-Nāṣir after overthrow of monarchy. Termination of British occupation of Egypt, Suez crisis and war in October 1956, union of Egypt with Syria in February 1958, and overthrow of Iraqi monarchy in June 1958 inspired Jordanian politicians and army officers. Jordanian crisis began after dismissal of General Glubb from Arab Legion in March 1956. It continued with creation of leftist government in October 1956 and unsuccessful military coup in April 1957. Another destabilization of Jordan kingdom was connected with activation of Palestinian national movement and establishment of Palestinian Liberation Organization in June 1964. Jordan was involved into the Six-Day War in June 1967, which resulted in Israeli occupation of West bank of Jordan. Radical elements of Palestinian resistance movement menaced Jordanian territorial integrity by creating a “state in the state”. Confrontation between Palestinian fedayeens and Jordanian army culminated in Jordanian civil war in September 1970 and July 1971. After PLO moved to Lebanon, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan restored its full sovereignty over the eastern bank of river Jordan.