King Hussein of Jordan: A Political Life

Description

A towering figure in the history of Jordan, King Hussein reigned for nearly half a century, from his grandfather’s assassination in 1953 to his own death in 1999. In this fascinating biography, Nigel Ashton recounts the eventful life of the king who not only survived but flourished amidst crisis after crisis as ruler of a poor desert nation surrounded by powerful and hostile neighbors. Hussein skillfully navigated complicated relationships with the British, his fellow Arab leaders, the new bordering state of Israel, masses of dispossessed Palestinians within his kingdom, every U.S. president from Eisenhower to Clinton, and every British prime minister from Churchill to Blair. This book illuminates the private man, his key relationships, and his achievements and disappointments as a central player in the tough world of Middle Eastern politics. Ashton has had unique access to King Hussein’s private papers, including his secret correspondence with U.S., British, and Israeli leaders, and he has also conducted numerous interviews with members of Hussein’s circle and immediate family. The resulting book brings new depth to our understanding of the popular and canny king while also providing new information about the wars of 1967 and 1973, President Reagan’s role in the Iran-Contra affair, the evolution of the Middle East peace process, and much more. Contents Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Introduction: A Contested Destiny Chapter 1 The Tragedy of King Talal Chapter 2 Breaking the British Connection, 1953–6 Chapter 3 To Hold a Throne, 1956–7 Chapter 4 A Dynasty under Threat, 1957–61 Chapter 5 Arab Cold War and Détente, 1962–6 Chapter 6 The Path to Disaster, 1966–7 Chapter 7 Lost in a Sandstorm: Hussein and the Peace Process, 1967–8 Chapter 8 ‘Seven Questions of Israel’: The September 1970 Crisis Chapter 9 The October War Chapter 10 Disengagement and Disillusionment, 1973–7 Chapter 11 The Camp David Disaster, 1977–9 Chapter 12 The Iran–Iraq War, 1980–88 Chapter 13 Fishing in the Dead Sea: King Hussein and the Peace Process, 1980–89 Chapter 14 Between Iraq and a Hard Place: King Hussein and the Gulf Crisis, 1990–91 Chapter 15 From Madrid to Oslo: King Hussein and the Peace Process, 1991–3 Chapter 16 The Best of Enemies, the Best of Friends: Hussein, Rabin and the Jordanian–Israeli Peace Treaty Chapter 17 The Bitter Aftertaste of Peace Chapter 18 The Liberation of Iraq, 1995–7 Chapter 19 A Destiny Fulfilled? Select Bibliography Notes Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z