With the Islamic State group eyeing Jordan in its march to establishing a caliphate across the Middle East, the Hashemite Kingdom is bolstering its defenses along its long borders with Iraq and Syria, where the jihadist group holds sway. But experts warn that Jordan’s greatest threat from IS is not along the border, but rather from within the country itself.
Despite international airstrikes, IS has continued to gain ground in Iraq and Syria. Neighboring both countries to the southwest, the moderate Sunni, key Western ally Jordan is feared as a potential next target.
David Schenker, director of the Arab politics program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that Jordan has the military capability to prevent a border invasion from Islamist militants. (READ MORE)
