Jordan Seeks U.S. Defense Support Amid Rising Regional Tension

Jordan Security Concerns

Jordan has conveyed its security concerns to the United States amidst the perceived threat posed by Iranian-backed forces near its borders with Iraq and Syria. According to a senior Jordanian security official speaking to Reuters, the kingdom seeks advanced U.S. defense hardware and assistance to bolster its defense capabilities. Specifically, Jordan has asked for Patriot air defense systems from the U.S., citing fears of a wider Middle East conflict.

Delving deeper into Jordan’s security worries, despite its reputation for stability in a volatile region, the kingdom is increasingly anxious due to the escalating conflict in Gaza. Its geographical proximity to Iraq and Syria exposes it to potential conflicts, and it fears being drawn into a larger Middle East conflict involving Iran and its proxies.

Jordan’s request for Patriot systems from the United States is seen as a crucial response to these escalating concerns. The advanced defense systems would significantly enhance Jordan’s ability to defend its borders and populace, providing a deterrent against threats from Iranian-backed militias and other regional conflicts.

Beyond a mere plea for assistance, Jordan’s request signifies a heightened unease about regional stability. It reflects the kingdom’s apprehensions regarding the rising volatility in the Middle East and the potential for a broader conflict involving Iran and its allies. If approved, this request could play a pivotal role in safeguarding Jordan’s security amidst escalating regional tensions.

What is Patriot?

The MIM-104 Patriot is the primary air and missile defense system used by the U.S. Army. Initially designed for anti-aircraft purposes, newer versions of the Patriot system can engage ballistic and cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and aircraft. A standard Patriot battery consists of a radar set, engagement control station, power generation and support vehicles, and multiple launch stations. Currently, 18 countries operate the Patriot system.

The Patriot concept was first developed by the U.S. Army Missile Command in 1961 as the Army Air Defense System for the 1970s (AADS-70s). Initially named Surface-to-Air Missile, Development (SAM-D) in 1964, the program transitioned to support a Track-Via-Missile (TVM) guidance system in 1974. It was later renamed PATRIOT (Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept On Target) in 1976 and entered full-rate production in 1980. Over the years, significant upgrades were made to the Patriot system, including the development of the Patriot Advanced Capability-1 (PAC-1) standard in 1986 and subsequent upgrades to PAC-2 and PAC-3 configurations.

The PAC-3 interceptor, featuring hit-to-kill technology, was a significant enhancement to the Patriot system. Development for a hit-to-kill weapon began in 1983, with flight testing of the Flexible Lightweight Agile Guided Experiment (FLAGE) conducted in 1987. The Extended Range Intercept Technology (ERINT) missile, which served as the basis for the PAC-3 interceptor, completed its final design review in 1989. The PAC-3 missile entered low-rate initial production in 2000 and achieved initial operating capability in 2001.

In terms of service history, the Patriot system saw combat during the Gulf War in 1991 and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. While its performance during the Gulf War became controversial, later studies found Patriot deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom to be largely effective. The system has also been used by foreign operators, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, in conflicts such as the Yemeni Civil War.

Currently, 18 countries, including the United States, operate or have agreed to purchase the Patriot system. The system has been deployed to various regions globally to defend deployed forces and critical assets. By early 2021, Patriot units became the most frequently deployed units in the U.S. Army, with approximately 0.9 soldiers at home station for every one deployed abroad.

History of Israel and Palestine:

The history of Israel and Palestine is a multifaceted narrative shaped by centuries of religious, cultural, and political interactions. The region known as Palestine has been inhabited for thousands of years and holds profound religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Throughout antiquity, it was part of various empires, including the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires.

In the late 19th century, the emergence of Zionism, a movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, gained momentum in response to rising anti-Semitism in Europe. This movement led to increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, intensifying tensions between Jewish immigrants and Arab Palestinians already residing in the region.

Following World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate over Palestine. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 expressed Britain’s support for a “national home for the Jewish people” while also safeguarding the rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.

As Jewish immigration surged, conflicts and violence erupted between Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. While Jewish leaders accepted the plan, Arab leaders rejected it, leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Israel declared independence in 1948, and Arab states subsequently invaded, resulting in further conflict and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. This event, known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” remains a significant point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights, further complicating the situation and leading to prolonged occupation and conflict. The ongoing dispute over territory, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem continues to fuel tensions and hinder efforts towards a peaceful resolution in the region.

FAQ’S

1. Why has Jordan expressed security concerns to the United States?Jordan has communicated its security concerns to the United States due to the perceived threat posed by Iranian-backed forces near its borders with Iraq and Syria. The kingdom seeks assistance and advanced U.S. defense hardware, specifically Patriot air defense systems, to bolster its defense capabilities.
2. What is the significance of Jordan’s request for Patriot systems?Jordan’s request for Patriot systems is crucial as it represents a strategic response to escalating security concerns. The advanced defense systems would significantly enhance Jordan’s ability to defend its borders and populace, serving as a powerful deterrent against threats from Iranian-backed militias and other regional conflicts.
3. What are the roots of Jordan’s security anxieties despite its historical stability?Despite its reputation for stability, Jordan is increasingly uneasy due to the escalating conflict in Gaza and its geographical proximity to Iraq and Syria. The kingdom fears being drawn into a larger Middle East conflict involving Iran and its proxies, which heightens its vulnerability to potential conflicts.
4. How does the Patriot air defense system work?The Patriot air defense system is designed for anti-aircraft purposes and can engage ballistic and cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and aircraft. It consists of a radar set, engagement control station, power generation and support vehicles, and multiple launch stations. The Patriot system operates on a hit-to-kill technology, intercepting and neutralizing incoming threats.
5. What is the history and significance of the Israel-Palestine conflict mentioned in the article?The history of the Israel-Palestine conflict is shaped by centuries of religious, cultural, and political interactions. The article provides a brief overview, covering events such as the emergence of Zionism, the Balfour Declaration, the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Six-Day War of 1967, and the ongoing disputes over territory, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem, all of which contribute to the complex and prolonged nature of the conflict.