After almost 17 months of blogging, I feel the need to take a breath and re-evaluate the Jordan Watch blog which has passed through many changes. The main issue remains to be whther there is an added value for this blog that justifies being online. For some blogging can be a hobby or a way to express feelings and opinions, but for me it is an investment of time and effort which I am not looking... [read more]

According to a report by Al Arab Al Yawm newspaper, Jordanian Prime Minister Ma'rouf Bakhit had a stunning revelation in last evening's Cabinet meeting. The outraged PM accused some ministers of "providing journalists with information about the activities of the government and its other ministers through the political salons in which ministers and journalists interact. He added that he has "recordings"... [read more]

In the past few days I had no desire to blog. I only copy and paste my daily articles in Addustour to my Arabic blog and do not create any new content. I think I am in a stage of low energy. However I was very glad to discover on You Tube the beautiful song "Moscow" that was an instant global hit in the 80s. I am sure you will enjoy this vidoe which will bring sweet memories back.    [read more]

In the past couple of days I have been trying to follow the short summaries and promotional materials aired by Al Ghad TV in its experimental broadcasting, and I have a feeling we are anticipating a drastic change in the quality of Jordanian TV and satellite broadcasting. It is obvious that the official Jordan TV is in a pathetic state and it can never be allowed to reflect the true progress in... [read more]

I always like to follow up with the latest in the Pew Global Attitudes Survey that is published on annual basis. The global survey that spans 47 countries -including Jordan- is a tool to measure the public opinion on many global issues including anti-americansis, terrorism, multiculturalism and other emerging issues. This years' survey included a variety of interesting results. In this post I... [read more]

Jordan Business magazine has published its list of the most influential 30 Jordanians for the second year running. Last year the selection was based on the magazine's informed judgemens and it was convincing. This year however, the magazine opted to give the choice to its readers through an online vote. The results provides another evidence how voting can sometimes be irrational. The magazine received... [read more]

So, what is the favourite Jordanian dish on the table of international media nowadays? The issue of Mohammad Asha has lost is glimmering dimensions lately, and Petra's win in the new seven wonders competition took the highlights for few days. Now we are back to the most favored subject of all: the confederation between Jordan and Palestine. Although King Abdullah II has said for a trillion times... [read more]

  The majestic city of Petra has won its righteous place in the World New Seven Wonders. Regardless of UNESCO's reservations, the voting process represented a "global collective approach" of cultural diversity that was made by people and public participation. Petra's uniquness was decribed by the New 7 wonders committee as a symbol of "engineering and protection". One of the most amazing achievements... [read more]

I was almost certain of Petra's win in the New Seven Wonders competition, but it never crossed my mind it will be second only to the Great Wall of China. I thought Petra may end up in 5th-7th ranks judged by the small population of Jordan and the enormous influence of the global media that highlightes other places in Europe and Latin America. The success of Petra is worth celebrating for many... [read more]

I am deeply in hope that Dr. Mohammad Asha (27) who is a Jordanian will turn out to be innocent from the suspicions of an alleged role in the planning of terror attacks in London and Glascow. Not only because he is Jordanian but I feel very alarmed that the profile of Dr Asha is very far away from the typical terrorist, in fact he can be a replica of thousands of Arabs and Muslims trying to seek a... [read more]

To the dismay of some readers of this blog Jordan is not a failed state. According to the Foreign Policy Index of failed States, published for the third year in the well respected American magazine "Foreign Policy" Jordan does not rank among the 60 failed states of the world which includes seven Arab countries, topped by Sudan.   The Index was developed by the Fund for Peace an independent research... [read more]