Introduction Since January 2011, Jordan has seen a growing wave of protests and calls for reform by citizens, who have steadily increased the level of their demands. The protests are led by the Islamist movement, which dominates the political opposition, and by the popular protest movement, which encompasses numerous pro-reform organizations established in the recent months. Also prominent in the protest movement are organizations representing Jordan's tribal population, which for decades was considered the powerbase of the Hashemite regime. In recent years, this population has developed a growing sense of resentment and discrimination as a result of the economic policy advanced by the Jordanian king.[1] This has triggered the emergence of several pro-reform organizations representing the tribes. Political oppositionists have also intensified their criticism against the regime; prominent among them is Islamist oppositionist Laith Shbailat, as well as the former prime minister and chief of the General Intelligence Directorate (GID), Ahmad 'Obeidat, who has recently emerged as a leading oppositionist and established the National Front for Reform.  Oppositionist Ahmad 'Obeidat and Islamic Movement official Hamza Mansour (second and third from left) in an October 7, 2011 protest march in Amman[2]  October 21, 2011 protest march in Amman[3] |
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