Editing Abdullah II of Jordan (section)

==Administrative reforms==
===Economic===
King Abdullah proposed significant economic reforms to the country during the first decade of his reign.<ref name="ciafb" /> Jordan, a relatively-small, semi-arid, almost-landlocked country, has one of the [[Economy of Jordan|smallest economies]] in the region; its GDP was about $39&nbsp;billion in 2016.<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=32&pr.y=11&sy=2016&ey=2019&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=439&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=|title=Jordan|publisher=International Monetary Fund|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010122523/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=32&pr.y=11&sy=2016&ey=2019&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=439&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=|archive-date=10 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="ciafb" /> Insufficient natural resources, especially in water and oil (unlike its neighbors) have given the kingdom chronic government debt, unemployment and poverty<ref name="ciafb" /> which led to a dependence on foreign aid from its Western and [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Arab allies in the Persian Gulf region]].<ref name="ciafb">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/jordan/|title=Jordan|work=The World Factbook|date=1 January 2017|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> Jordan embarked on an aggressive [[economic liberalization]] program when Abdullah was crowned in an effort to stimulate the economy and raise the standard of living, and its economy has improved under his reign.<ref name="ciafb" /> He has been credited with attracting foreign investment, improving public-private partnerships and providing the foundation for the [[Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority]] and Jordan's flourishing [[information and communications technology]] (ICT) sector.<ref name="oxbg">{{cite book|chapter=The way forward|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HXu3jtlE-rAC&pg=PA17|title=The Report: Jordan 2009|access-date=14 January 2016|year=2009|page=17|publisher=Oxford Business |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206071126/https://books.google.com/books?id=HXu3jtlE-rAC&pg=PA17|archive-date=6 February 2018|isbn=9781907065064}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eqR2iOMtUVgC&pg=PA94|page=94|title=Transforming Education: The Power of ICT Policies|year=2011|access-date=14 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206071126/https://books.google.com/books?id=eqR2iOMtUVgC&pg=PA94|archive-date=6 February 2018|isbn=9789231042126|author1=Unesco|publisher=UNESCO }}</ref> Abdullah set up five other [[special economic zone]]s: [[Irbid]], [[Ajloun]], [[Mafraq]], [[Ma'an]] and the [[Dead Sea]].<ref name="oxbg" /> As a result of these reforms, Jordan's economic growth doubled (to 8% annually) between 2004 and 2008 compared with the latter half of the 1990s.<ref name="ciafb" /> It also led to a steady increase in foreign investment by the West and the [[Persian Gulf]] countries.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8iKNxQ2GvCcC&pg=PA13|page=13|publisher=Oxford Business Group|title=The Report: Jordan 2012|year=2012|isbn=9781907065613|access-date=8 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206071126/https://books.google.com/books?id=8iKNxQ2GvCcC&pg=PA13|archive-date=6 February 2018}}</ref>

Abdullah negotiated a [[Jordan–United States Free Trade Agreement|free-trade agreement with the United States]], the third free-trade agreement for the US and its first with an Arab country.<ref name="ftajus">{{cite web |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010928-12.html |title=Overview: U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement |publisher=White House Office of the Press Secretary |date=28 September 2001 |access-date=13 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712041528/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010928-12.html |archive-date=12 July 2017 }}</ref> Under the agreement, Jordanian exports to the United States increased from $63 million in 2000 to over $1.4 billion in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/business/jordan-us-free-trade-agreement-joint-committee-convenes|title=Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee convenes|work=The Jordan Times|access-date=14 January 2018|date=19 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183737/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/business/jordan-us-free-trade-agreement-joint-committee-convenes|archive-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> Jordan's foreign [[debt-to-GDP ratio]] fell from more than 210 percent in 1990 to 83 percent by the end of 2005, a decrease called an "extraordinary achievement" by the [[International Monetary Fund]].<ref name="IMF1">{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/np/ms/2006/112806.htm |title=Jordan—Concluding Statement for the 2006 Article IV Consultation and Fourth Post-Program Monitoring Discussions |publisher=International Monetary Fund |date=28 November 2006 |access-date=17 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408031341/http://www.imf.org/external/np/ms/2006/112806.htm |archive-date=8 April 2013 }}</ref> Abdullah's efforts have made Jordan the freest Arab economy and the ninth-freest economy in the world, according to a 2014 study by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-uae-share-top-place-among-arab-countries-economic-freedom-index|title=Jordan, UAE share top place among Arab countries on economic freedom index|date=18 November 2014|work=The Jordan Times|access-date=13 July 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701194643/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-uae-share-top-place-among-arab-countries-economic-freedom-index|archive-date=1 July 2016}}</ref>

[[File:The King of Jordan, 2013.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A seated Abdullah gestures with his hands before a microphone|Abdullah speaking during a session of the [[World Economic Forum]] in Davos, 25 January 2013]]
The king launched a number of initiatives to provide housing for Jordanian citizens, including teachers and those serving in the armed forces.<ref name="nvtc" /> He established awards to encourage good citizenship, including the King Abdullah II Award for Physical Fitness, the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence in Government Performance and Transparency, the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence for the Private Sector and the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence for Business Associations.<ref name="nvtc" /> To combat unemployment, Abdullah established the National Vocational Training Council and formed a committee to develop a national strategy for developing human resources to produce a skilled workforce.<ref name="nvtc">{{cite web|work=kingabdullah.jo|date=1 January 2017|access-date=22 February 2017|title=Progress |url=http://kingabdullah.jo/en/page/vision/progress|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223042949/http://kingabdullah.jo/en/page/vision/progress|archive-date=23 February 2017}}</ref>

Jordan was dependent on subsidized Iraqi oil for its energy.<ref name="NYTIW" /> The 2003 [[2003 invasion of Iraq|American invasion of Iraq]] halted the petroleum supply and drove Jordan to begin importing gas from Egypt in 2009.<ref name="instability1" /> [[Sinai insurgency|Insurgency in Sinai]] began when the [[Arab Spring]] spread to Egypt, where the [[Arab Gas Pipeline]] runs.<ref name="instability1" /> Since 2011, the pipeline has been attacked over 30 times by [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Sinai Province|ISIL's Sinai affiliates]], and the pipeline was effectively closed in 2014.<ref name="eglfi">{{cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/jordan-israel-gas-deal-popular-protest.html|title=Jordanians fuming over gas deal with Israel|work=Osama Al Sharif|publisher=Al Monitor|access-date=14 January 2018|date=16 October 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101194403/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/jordan-israel-gas-deal-popular-protest.html|archive-date=1 January 2018}}</ref> Jordan incurred $6 billion in losses.<ref name="eglfi" /> The [[Great Recession]] and regional turmoil triggered by the Arab Spring during the 2010s hobbled the Jordanian economy, making it increasingly reliant on foreign aid.<ref name="instability1">{{cite web|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/?fa=55313&lang=en|title=Jordan is Sliding Toward Insolvency|access-date=20 March 2016|date=18 March 2016|work=KIRK H. SOWELL|publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403055658/http://carnegieendowment.org/sada/?fa=63061&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRovsqvMZKXonjHpfsX67uUoXaSg38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YoGRcR0aPyQAgobGp5I5FEIQ7XYTLB2t60MWA%3D%3D#comments|archive-date=3 April 2016}}</ref> The shocks hit Jordan's [[Tourism in Jordan|tourism sector]] (a cornerstone of the country's economy) hardest, and tourist arrivals have fallen by over 66 percent since 2011.<ref name=ftharsh>{{cite web|access-date=20 March 2016|title=Harsh blow to Jordanian economy|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7c904b80-a1a8-11e0-b9f9-00144feabdc0.html|work=Financial Times|date=28 June 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021024940/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7c904b80-a1a8-11e0-b9f9-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2Ii3L4rS7|archive-date=21 October 2013}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/nov/26/jordan-petra-amman-holiday-jerash-dead-sea|title=Jordan is spectacular, safe and friendly – so where are the tourists?|author=Amelia Gentleman|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 January 2018|date=26 November 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516124300/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/nov/26/jordan-petra-amman-holiday-jerash-dead-sea|archive-date=16 May 2017}}</ref> However, in 2017, tourism started to pick up again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/tourism-sector-expected-continue-recovering-2018%E2%80%99|title=Tourism sector expected to continue recovering in 2018|author=Ahmed Bani Mustafa|work=The Jordan Times|access-date=14 January 2018|date=3 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106000923/http://jordantimes.com/news/local/tourism-sector-expected-continue-recovering-2018%E2%80%99|archive-date=6 January 2018}}</ref> Growth of the Jordanian economy slowed to an annual average rate of 2.8 percent between 2010 and 2016—down from an average of 8% in previous years—insufficient to accommodate the exponential growth of the population.<ref name="ciafb" />

Jordan's total foreign debt in 2012 was $22 billion, 72 percent of its GDP.<ref name=oxbiz>{{cite web |title=Jordan: Year in Review 2012 |access-date=20 March 2016 |url=http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/economic_updates/jordan-year-review-2012 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |date=20 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905223641/http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/economic_updates/jordan-year-review-2012 |archive-date=5 September 2014 }}</ref> In 2016, the debt reached $35.1&nbsp;billion, 95 percent of the country's GDP.<ref name="instability1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/opinion/fahed-fanek/economic-challenges-get-priority|title=Economic challenges get priority|first=Fahed|last=Fanek|access-date=14 January 2018|date=5 November 2017|work=The Jordan Times|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106050857/http://jordantimes.com/opinion/fahed-fanek/economic-challenges-get-priority|archive-date=6 November 2017}}</ref> The increase was attributed to regional challenges, which decreased tourist activity and foreign investment and increased military spending; attacks on the Egyptian pipeline; the collapse of trade with Iraq and Syria; the expense of hosting Syrian refugees, and accumulated loan interest.<ref name="instability1" /> According to the World Bank, Syrian refugees cost Jordan more than $2.5 billion a year (six percent of its GDP and 25 percent of the government's annual revenue).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/syrian-refugees-cost-kingdom-25-billion-year-%E2%80%94-report|title=Syrian refugees cost Kingdom $2.5 billion a year – report|work=The Jordan Times|access-date=30 July 2016|date=6 February 2016|first=Khetam|last=Malkawi|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612040635/http://jordantimes.com/news/local/syrian-refugees-cost-kingdom-25-billion-year-%E2%80%94-report|archive-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> Foreign aid covers only a portion of these costs, 63 percent of which are borne by Jordan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/gov%E2%80%99t-readying-refugee-donor-conference|access-date=12 October 2015|date=5 October 2015|work=The Jordan Times|title=Gov't readying for refugee donor conference|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106061021/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/gov%E2%80%99t-readying-refugee-donor-conference|archive-date=6 January 2016}}</ref> An austerity program was adopted by the government which aims to reduce Jordan's [[debt-to-GDP ratio]] to 77 percent by 2021.<ref>{{cite web|work=The Jordan Times|access-date=9 March 2017|first=Omar|last=Obeidat|title=IMF programme to yield budget surplus in 2019|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/imf-programme-yield-budget-surplus-2019%E2%80%99|date=21 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111022238/http://jordantimes.com/news/local/imf-programme-yield-budget-surplus-2019%E2%80%99|archive-date=11 January 2017}}</ref>

===Political===

Abdullah was criticized during his early years for focusing on economic, rather than political reform. A committee was formed in February 2005 to formulate a blueprint for political reform in the country for the next decade. This National Agenda, finalized about nine months later, was never implemented. It included incorporating [[proportional representation]] into [[Elections in Jordan|general elections]], improving the judicial branch and respect for human rights, and tackling issues related to employment, welfare, education and infrastructure.<ref name="cefipps">{{cite web|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/?fa=55313&lang=en|title=Knives Out for Jordan's National Agenda|first=Marc|last=Lynch|work=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|access-date=18 February 2017|date=20 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221010631/http://carnegieendowment.org/sada/?fa=21082|archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> The Agenda was reportedly never implemented due to conservative opposition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/middleeast/democracy-in-the-arab-world-a-us-goal-falters.html|title=Democracy in the Arab World, a U.S. Goal, Falters|access-date=18 February 2017|date=10 April 2006|work=The New York Times|first=Hassan|last=Fattah|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221105432/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/middleeast/democracy-in-the-arab-world-a-us-goal-falters.html|archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> After the Arab Spring, a new election law in 2012 was enacted and used in the 2013 elections. It incorporated elements of proportional representation, and 27 of the 150 House of Representatives members could be elected accordingly.<ref name="fhifka">{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2016/jordan|title=Freedom in the world – Jordan|publisher=Freedom House|access-date=18 February 2017|date=1 January 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221010223/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2016/jordan|archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> A number of political reforms were undertaken to curtail some of the king's powers, including amending about one-third of the constitution, establishing a [[constitutional court]] and the [[Independent Election Commission (Jordan)|Independent Election Commission]] and improvements to laws governing human rights and freedom of speech and assembly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/political-reform-process-continues|title=The political reform process continues|publisher=Oxford Business Group|access-date=18 February 2017|date=1 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221011436/https://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/political-reform-process-continues|archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref>

In 2014 and 2016, several constitutional amendments sparked controversy despite their overwhelming approval by senators and representatives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/amendments-recommend-powers-king-jordan-160421115110995.html|title=Jordan King Abdullah set to consolidate executive power|publisher=Al Jazeera|first=Ali|last=Younis|access-date=17 February 2017|date=13 June 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216162641/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/amendments-recommend-powers-king-jordan-160421115110995.html|archive-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> The amendments gave the king sole authority to appoint his crown prince, deputy, the chief and members of the constitutional court, the heads of the military and paramilitary forces and the country's [[General Intelligence Directorate (Jordan)|General Intelligence Director]]. Proponents said that the amendments solidified the [[separation of powers]], while critics claimed they were unconstitutional.<ref name="ampkad">{{cite news|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/08/jordan-king-constitution-amendments.html|title=Jordan's king pushes to expand military, intelligence authority|publisher=[[Al-Monitor]] |first=Osama|last=Al-Sharif|date=25 August 2014|access-date=17 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829033014/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/08/jordan-king-constitution-amendments.html|archive-date=29 August 2016}}</ref>

Reforms introduced in the 2016 general election led [[Freedom House]], a US-funded [[non-governmental organization]], to upgrade Jordan to "partly free" from "not free" in its [[Freedom in the World]] 2017 report. According to the report, Jordan became the third most free Arab country, and that the change was "due to electoral law changes that led to somewhat fairer parliamentary elections."<ref name="fhjo">{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2017/jordan|title=Jordan|publisher=Freedom House|date=1 February 2017|access-date=4 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203080234/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2017/jordan|archive-date=3 February 2017}}</ref>

In September 2016, Abdullah formed a royal committee to make recommendations which would improve the country's judiciary. The committee finalized its report, which revolved around strengthening judicial independence and improving criminal justice, in February 2017. The Parliament approved the recommendations which included increased protection for women against violence and better trial procedures. A new law for people with disabilities was also enacted.<ref name="hrwjo" /> [[Human Rights Watch]] praised the reforms.<ref name="hrwjo">{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/10/04/jordan-parliament-passes-human-rights-reforms|title=Jordan: Parliament Passes Human Rights Reforms|access-date=5 October 2017|date=4 October 2017|publisher=Human Rights Watch|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012033640/https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/10/04/jordan-parliament-passes-human-rights-reforms|archive-date=12 October 2017}}</ref>

On 15 August 2017, [[2017 Jordanian local elections|local elections]] were held for [[Municipal council (Jordan)|municipal councils]], [[Local council (Jordan)|local councils]], and [[Governorate council (Jordan)|governorate councils]], which were added by a new [[decentralization]] law. The law intends to cede some central-government power to elected councils, increasing citizen participation in municipal decision-making.<ref name="mlgce">{{cite web|url=http://jordantimes.com/news/local/king-directs-government-hold-local-elections|title=King directs government to hold local elections|access-date=23 February 2017|date=12 February 2017|work=The Jordan Times|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224051948/http://jordantimes.com/news/local/king-directs-government-hold-local-elections|archive-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> In a 15 August 2016 interview, Abdullah described the new decentralization law as "a very important link in the chain of reforms".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/real-reform-starts-citizen-engagement-%E2%80%94-king|title=Real reform starts with citizen engagement – King|work=The Jordan Times|date=15 August 2016|access-date=12 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802001034/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/real-reform-starts-citizen-engagement-%E2%80%94-king|archive-date=2 August 2017}}</ref>

On 10 June 2021, Abdullah announced the introduction of a new committee of 92 members chaired by former prime minister [[Samir Rifai]]. The tasks of the committee are to modernise the political system and to propose new laws for local governments.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 June 2021|title=Jordan's King Abdullah II forms committee to modernise political system|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/jordan-s-king-abdullah-ii-forms-committee-to-modernise-political-system-1.1238931|access-date=29 June 2021|website=The National|language=en}}</ref> On 4 October 2021, the committee handed over its recommendations to Abdullah. The committee proposed draft laws for political parties and elections, as well as 22 amendments to the [[Constitution of Jordan|Jordan constitution]] regarding parliamentary work and empowering women and youth.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jordanians lukewarm on government reform proposal - Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/10/jordanians-lukewarm-government-reform-proposal|access-date=2 January 2022|website=www.al-monitor.com|date=13 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In November 2021, Abdullah ordered the government to push for political modernization. The [[Cabinet of Jordan]] submitted draft laws to the parliament following the committee's recommendations.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 November 2021|title=Jordan's king calls for 'modernisation' of political system|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2021/11/18/jordans-king-calls-for-modernisation-of-political-system/|access-date=2 January 2022|website=The National}}</ref> In December 2021, a parliamentary discussion on the constitutional amendment that would give more rights to women resulted into a fistfight between members of parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Celine Alkhaldi|title=Jordanian lawmakers trade punches in Parliament amid heated discussion on women's rights|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/29/middleeast/jordan-parliament-fight-intl/index.html|access-date=2 January 2022|website=CNN|date=29 December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=29 December 2021|title=Order! Order! Jordanian MPs fight in parliamentary session live-streamed on TV|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/jordan-mps-fight-parliament-video-b1983713.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229112514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/jordan-mps-fight-parliament-video-b1983713.html |archive-date=29 December 2021 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=2 January 2022|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> On 3 January 2022, the Jordan parliament passed an amendment to Article 40 of the constitution, which allows Abdullah to appoint or dismiss the [[chief justice]], the head of the [[Sharia]] judicial council, the [[Grand Mufti|Grand Mufti of Jordan]], the chief of the [[Royal court|Royal Court]], the minister of the court, and the advisors to the king.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 January 2022|title=Jordan's King Gains New Power To Appoint, Dismiss Top Officials|url=https://themedialine.org/headlines/jordans-king-gains-new-power-to-appoint-dismiss-top-officials/|access-date=6 January 2022|website=The Media Line|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=3 January 2022|title=Lower House continues deliberations over draft constitutional amendments|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/lower-house-continues-deliberations-over-draft-constitutional-amendments|access-date=6 January 2022|website=Jordan Times|language=en}}</ref> On 6 January 2022, Jordan parliament approved constitutional reforms by a majority of 104-8 including improvement of women's rights, lowering the minimum age for elected deputies to 25 and the prime minister being elected by the assembly's largest single party.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Al-Khalidi|first=Suleiman|date=10 January 2022|title=Jordan MPs back constitutional reforms to revitalise politics|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/jordan-mps-back-constitutional-reforms-revitalise-politics-2022-01-06/|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref>

===Military===
Due to his military background, Abdullah believes in a powerful military and has followed a "quality over quantity" policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan%E2%80%99s-stability-hinges-unity-people-national-coherence%E2%80%99|title='Jordan's stability hinges on unity of people, national coherence'|work=The Jordan Times|date=6 June 2017|access-date=14 January 2018|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615190957/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan%E2%80%99s-stability-hinges-unity-people-national-coherence%E2%80%99|archive-date=15 June 2017}}</ref> During the first year of his reign he established the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau (now [[Jordan Design and Development Bureau]]), whose goal is to "provide an indigenous capability for the supply of scientific and technical services to the Jordanian Armed Forces".<ref name="kaddb">{{cite news|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/kaddb-become-main-provider-army%E2%80%99s-weapons-defence-equipment%E2%80%99|access-date=16 June 2016|date=28 April 2015|title=KADDB to become main provider of army's weapons, defence equipment|work=The Jordan Times|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103221216/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/kaddb-become-main-provider-army%E2%80%99s-weapons-defence-equipment%E2%80%99|archive-date=3 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/king-inaugurates-kaddb-joint-venture-turkish-company|title=King inaugurates KADDB joint venture with Turkish company|date=16 December 2014|access-date=14 January 2018|work=The Jordan Times|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001509/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/king-inaugurates-kaddb-joint-venture-turkish-company|archive-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> The company manufactures a wide variety of military products, which are presented at the biennial international [[Special Operations Forces Exhibition]] (SOFEX)—Abdullah is SOFEX's patron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/king-inaugurates-sofex-2016-tours-expo|title=King inaugurates SOFEX 2016, tours expo|work=The Jordan Times|access-date=14 January 2018|date=10 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001337/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/king-inaugurates-sofex-2016-tours-expo|archive-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> Abdullah modernized the army, leading Jordan to acquire advanced weaponry and increase and enhance its [[F-16]] fighter-jet fleet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/64396/jordan-s-king-orders-military-shake-up|title=Jordan's king orders military shake-up|first=Mohammad|last=Najib|work=Janes|access-date=22 February 2017|date=6 October 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111111/http://www.janes.com/article/64396/jordan-s-king-orders-military-shake-up|archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="ardid">{{cite web|work=Defense Industry Daily|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/jordan-buys-20-f16-mlu-from-holland-belgium-updated-02176/|title=Jordan Buys 20 F-16 MLU from Holland, Belgium (updated)|date=14 February 2007|publisher=Watershed Publishing|access-date=14 February 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617044329/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/jordan-buys-20-f16-mlu-from-holland-belgium-updated-02176/|archive-date=17 June 2017}}</ref> The King occasionally trains with the Jordanian army in live ammunition military drills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alghad.com/articles/1561222-His-Majesty-Partakes-in-Live-Ammo-Military-Drill|title=His Majesty Partakes in Live Ammo Military Drill|work=Al Ghad|date=17 April 2017|access-date=3 January 2018|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206071126/http://www.alghad.com/articles/1561222-His-Majesty-Partakes-in-Live-Ammo-Military-Drill|archive-date=6 February 2018}}</ref>

===Energy sector===
[[File:Tafila Wind Farm 1.jpg|alt=Five windmills in the desert|thumb|The 117 MW [[Tafila Wind Farm]], inaugurated by Abdullah in 2014, is the largest onshore wind farm in the Middle East.<ref name="pnak">{{cite web|url=http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=285654|title=Masdar appoints IFC to oversee funding of Jordan's largest solar power project|agency=Petra News Agency|access-date=18 January 2017|date=18 January 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131185448/http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?Site_Id=1&lang=2&NewsID=285654|archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref>]]
{{See also|Nuclear energy in Jordan}}

Vandalism of the Egyptian pipeline supplying Jordan strained the country's electrical company, whose debt increased substantially; this prompted Abdullah to urge the government to formulate a 10-year plan (2015–2025) to diversify the kingdom's energy sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/jordans-economy-surprises|title=Jordan's Economy Surprises|work=David Schenker|access-date=14 January 2018|date=29 June 2015|publisher=The Washington Institute|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010122524/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/jordans-economy-surprises|archive-date=10 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/gov%E2%80%99t-launches-jordan-2025%E2%80%99-development-blueprint|title=Gov't launches 'Jordan 2025' development blueprint|access-date=22 February 2017|date=11 May 2015|work=The Jordan Times|first=Omar|last=Obeidat|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111922/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/gov%E2%80%99t-launches-jordan-2025%E2%80%99-development-blueprint|archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>

In 2007, Abdullah said that Jordan intends to benefit from its large uranium reserves by building nuclear reactors to generate electricity; the country is one of the few non-petroleum-producing nations in the region.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eldar|first=Akiva|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/815304.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325015617/http://www.haaretz.com/news/king-abdullah-to-haaretz-jordan-aims-to-develop-nuclear-power-1.210546|archive-date=25 March 2016|title=King Abdullah to Haaretz: Jordan aims to develop nuclear power|work=Haaretz|date=20 January 2007|access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Early on, in a 2010 interview, Abdullah accused Israel of trying to disrupt [[Nuclear energy in Jordan|Jordan's nuclear program]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/abdullah-israel-keeping-jordan-from-developing-peaceful-nuclear-program-1.296283|title=Abdullah: Israel Keeping Jordan From Developing Peaceful Nuclear Program|first=Yossi|last=Meiman|date=15 June 2010|access-date=18 February 2017|work=Haaretz|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219112631/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/abdullah-israel-keeping-jordan-from-developing-peaceful-nuclear-program-1.296283|archive-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> Abdullah inaugurated Jordan's first nuclear facility in 2016.<ref name="jfnr">{{cite web|url=http://jordantimes.com/news/local/pm-inaugurates-jordan-research-and-training-reactor|title=PM inaugurates Jordan Research and Training Reactor|access-date=22 February 2017|date=7 December 2016|work=The Jordan Times|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222120347/http://jordantimes.com/news/local/pm-inaugurates-jordan-research-and-training-reactor|archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref> The [[Jordan Research and Training Reactor]], in the [[Jordan University of Science and Technology]] near [[Ar Ramtha]], aims to train Jordanian students in the school's nuclear-engineering program.<ref name="jfnr" /> In 2018, the country's Atomic Energy Commission announced that Jordan was in talks with multiple companies to build the first commercial nuclear plant, a Helium-cooled reactor that is scheduled for completion in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-china-serious-talks%E2%80%99-build-gas-cooled-1b-reactor|title=Jordan, China in 'serious talks' to build gas-cooled $1b reactor|author=Mohammad Ghazal|work=The Jordan Times|date=28 April 2018|access-date=8 May 2018}}</ref>

The country has 330 days of sunshine per year, and wind speeds exceed 7&nbsp;m/s in mountainous areas.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=20 March 2016|url=http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/12/jordan-atomic-energy/|title=Jordan Jumps Forward on Energy Development|last=Balbo|first=Laurie|date=12 December 2011|publisher=Green Prophet|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328205453/http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/12/jordan-atomic-energy/|archive-date=28 March 2016}}</ref> During the 2010s, Abdullah inaugurated the 117 MW [[Tafila Wind Farm]] and the 53 MW [[Shams Ma'an Power Plant]].<ref name="ppjthak" /> In May 2017, it was announced that more than 200 MW of solar energy projects had been completed.<ref name="ppjthak">{{cite web|url=http://jordantimes.com/news/local/king-inaugurates-jd400m-solar-energy-projects|title=King inaugurates JD400m solar energy projects|work=The Jordan Times|date=16 May 2017|access-date=16 May 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516044814/http://jordantimes.com/news/local/king-inaugurates-jd400m-solar-energy-projects|archive-date=16 May 2017}}</ref> After having initially set the percentage of renewable energy Jordan aimed to generate by 2020 at 10%, the government announced in 2018 that it sought to beat that figure and aim for 20%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-23/jordan-eyes-power-storage-as-next-step-in-green-energy-drive|title=Jordan Eyes Power Storage as Next Step in Green Energy Drive|author=Brian Parkin|access-date=23 April 2018|date=23 April 2018|work=Bloomberg}}</ref> A report by pv magazine described Jordan as the "Middle East's solar powerhouse".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pv-magazine.com/2018/01/06/solars-new-fertile-crescent/|title=Solar's new fertile crescent|access-date=16 January 2018|date=6 January 2018|work=pv magazine|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117011921/https://www.pv-magazine.com/2018/01/06/solars-new-fertile-crescent/|archive-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

In 2014, a declaration of intent was signed by Jordan's national electrical company and [[Noble Energy]] to import gas from Israel's offshore [[Leviathan gas field]], a 15-year deal estimated at $10 billion.<ref name="amjigd" /> The move provoked outrage by opponents, including the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] movement, which said that the agreement favored Israel and its [[Israeli occupation of the West Bank|occupation of the West Bank]] and accused the government of ignoring renewable-energy options.<ref name="amjigd" /> The agreement, effective in 2019, was signed in September 2016.<ref name="amjigd">{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/en/originals/2016/10/jordan-israel-gas-deal-popular-protest.html|title=Jordanians fuming over gas deal with Israel|author=Osama Al-Sharif|publisher=Al Monitor|access-date=22 February 2017|date=5 October 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222195425/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/en/originals/2016/10/jordan-israel-gas-deal-popular-protest.html|archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref> Separately, Abdullah opened a [[liquefied natural gas]] port in [[Aqaba]] in 2015, allowing Jordan to import LNG.<ref name="alngp" /> LNG-generated electricity saves Jordan about $1 million a day, and is reportedly better for the environment.<ref name="alngp">{{cite web|url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/using-natural-gas-generate-power-saves-jordan-jd1m-day|title=Using natural gas to generate power saves Jordan JD1m per day|first=Khetam|last=Malkawi|work=The Jordan Times|access-date=22 February 2017|date=1 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223043532/http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/using-natural-gas-generate-power-saves-jordan-jd1m-day|archive-date=23 February 2017}}</ref>