Turkish-Jordanian Relations: Between Change and Stability

Relations between Turkey and the Kingdom of Jordan have been among the most stable in the Middle East. This article argues that, nevertheless, the relationship gained momentum following the Arab uprisings, which forced both countries to tackle mounting security concerns. One major challenge has been the influx of a huge number of Syrian refugees accompanying the continued instability in Syria, as well as the prolonged Palestinian-Israeli dispute and the destabilizing impact of sectarian cleavages in Iraq since 2003. What is more, the new power balance since 2011 has alarmed both Turkey and Jordan, and motivated them to reinforce the goal of regional order and stability. Within this changing context of the redistribution of power in the Middle East, the aim of this article is to explore the motivations of each country to perceive the other as a “partner,” specifically in the post-uprisings era, as well as the limitations to such a partnership.