Editing Hussein of Jordan (section)

===Arab Federation between Iraq and Jordan===
{{Main|Arab Federation}}

The 1950s became known as the [[Arab Cold War]], due to the conflict between states led by Nasserist Egypt and traditionalist kingdoms led by Saudi Arabia.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} Egypt and Syria formed the [[United Arab Republic]] (UAR) on 1 February 1958, with the Republic's presidency occupied by Nasser.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} As a counterweight, Hussein and his cousin, [[Faisal II of Iraq|King Faisal II]] of [[Kingdom of Iraq|Hashemite Iraq]], established the [[Arab Federation]] on 14 February 1958 in an Amman ceremony.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} The two rival entities launched propaganda wars against each other through their radio broadcasts.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} Jordanian and Syrian forces clashed in March along the border.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} UAR-inspired conspiracies started to emerge against the Hashemite federation.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=157}} An officer in Jordan was arrested for plotting to assassinate Hussein.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} It also emerged in Jordan that the UAR was planning to overthrow both Hashemite monarchies in July 1958.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} Jordan reacted by arresting 40 suspected army officers, and Hussein called in Iraqi army chief of staff Rafiq Aref to brief him on the exposed plot.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} Aref replied, "You look after yourselves. Iraq is a very stable country, unlike Jordan. If there are any worries it is Jordan that should be worried."{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}} Although Faisal and Hussein enjoyed a very close relationship, Faisal's Iraqi entourage looked down on Jordan; Hussein attributed this attitude to Iraqi crown prince [['Abd al-Ilah]]'s influence.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=153–159}}[[File:King Faisal and King Hussein 2 1957.png|thumb|right|Hussein with his cousin [[Faisal II of Iraq|King Faisal II]] (left) of the [[Kingdom of Iraq]], 1957. In February 1958, the two Hashemite Kingdoms formed the [[Arab Federation]] that lasted until Faisal was deposed in a bloody coup on [[14 July revolution|14 July 1958]].]]

The Lebanese, pro-Western government of [[Camille Chamoun]] was also threatened to be toppled by growing UAR-supported domestic opposition groups.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} The Iraqis sent a brigade to Jordan on 13 July at Hussein's request.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} The Iraqi brigade's departure to Jordan gave the conspirators in Iraq, led by Brigadier [[Abd al-Karim Qasim]], the opportunity to strike.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} On [[14 July Revolution|14 July]], an Iraqi unit stormed the royal palace in Iraq, executed all members of the Iraqi royal family, and mutilated the bodies of the crown prince and the Iraqi prime minister of the Arab Federation, [[Nuri Al-Said]].{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} Devastated, Hussein ordered a Jordanian expedition led by [[Sharif]] [[Hussein ibn Nasser|Nasser]] to reclaim the Iraqi throne,{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} but it was recalled after it was {{convert|150|mi|0|adj=on}} inside Iraq.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} Hussein, worried about a similar coup in Jordan, tightened [[martial law]].{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} American troops landed in both Lebanon and Jordan as a show of support for pro-Western regimes in the region against the Nasserist tide.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} By October, the situation had calmed, and Western troops were recalled.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}}

Hussein went on a vacation to Switzerland on 10 November. As he was flying his own plane over Syria, it was intercepted by two Syrian jets that attempted to attack.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} Hussein outmaneuvered the Syrians and survived the assassination attempt, landing safely in Amman, where he received a hero's welcome{{snd}}his popularity in Jordan skyrocketed overnight.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} [[Golda Meir]], an Israeli politician who would later become prime minister, was reported in 1958 as saying: "We all pray three times a day for King Hussein's safety and success."{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} The Israelis preferred that Hussein remain in power rather than a Nasserist regime.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=159–196}} Hussein for his part held secret meetings with Israeli officials, including Meir, seeing the fate, needs, and challenges (e.g. water supply) of Jordan inextricably linked with those of Israel and therefore to be solved with the cooperation of the latter.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=224}}

In 1959, Hussein embarked on a tour to different countries to consolidate bilateral ties.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=174}} His visit to the United States gained him many friends in [[United States Congress|Congress]] after he spoke openly against Soviet influence in the Middle East, returning with a $50{{nbsp}}million aid package.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=174}} Sadiq Al-Shar'a, an army general who accompanied Hussein to the United States, was found to have been plotting a coup against the monarchy.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=174}} News of the arrest of the conspiring officers in Jordan coincided with Hussein's visit to the US.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=171}} Hussein was tipped off to Al-Shar'a's involvement, but did not reveal it until they both landed back in Jordan.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=174}} Al-Shar'a was tried and received the death penalty; Hussein reduced his sentence to life imprisonment.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=174}} Four years later, Al-Shar'a was pardoned and appointed director of Jordan's passport office.{{sfn|Shlaim|2009|p=174}}