![RTR3VOZ1.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/09/RTR3VOZ1.jpg/RTR3VOZ1.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=C9qjXrPK)
Elisa Oddone is a freelance journalist based in Jordan, focusing on the Jordanian economy, refugees and the Syrian conflict. She has previously worked for Reuters Berlin and Ansa Germany.
![RTR3VOZ1.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/09/RTR3VOZ1.jpg/RTR3VOZ1.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=C9qjXrPK)
![TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY KAMAL TAHA
Men smoke water pipes at a cafe in the Jordanian capital Amman on February 3, 2014. A ban on water pipes in restaurants and cafes has caused uproar in Jordan where $1 billion worth of tobacco goes up in smoke every year. Under a decision based on a 2008 law that was not previously enforced, the government has announced that by the end of 2014 the licences of more than 5,000 establishments that serve hookahs will be revoked. AFP PHOTO/KHALIL MAZRAAWI (Photo credit s](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/06/466896979.jpg/466896979.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=xjs90kYv)
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone
![A member of Jordanian security walks near the main Jaber border crossing in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, April 2, 2015, as smoke rises on the Syrian side after violence broke out near the border. Jordan said it had temporarily closed its border crossing with Syria on Wednesday because of violence on the other side of the frontier, a move it described as a precautionary measure. Mainstream Syrian rebels seized the Nasib border crossing with Jordan from the Syrian government on Wednesday, the leader of one o](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/04/RTR4VU9K.jpg/RTR4VU9K.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=r7B7nOpZ)
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone
![hourani.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/02/hourani.jpg/hourani.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=AXeaGDx3)
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone
![Jordanian prison guards stand guard at Um Alluol prison in the city of Mafraq, northeast of Amman, August 7, 2012. Jordan's prison administration have taken an initiative, which allows prisoners to have meals with their families, and also presenting them with gifts and incentive awards for their participation in activities at the prison, during the month of Ramadan. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN - Tags: CRIME LAW SOCIETY) - RTR36EPW](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/01/RTR36EPW.jpg/RTR36EPW.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=OhUHB9J5)
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone
![Newly-arrived Syrian refugees carry their belongings as they walk at Azraq refugee camp near Al Azraq area, east of Amman, August 19, 2014. The camp, which has a capacity to accommodate 50,000 people, has so far received around 10,498 refugees, according to a senior external relations officer at the United Nations. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT SOCIETY) - RTR42Z33](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2014/11/RTR42Z33.jpg/RTR42Z33.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=ZdkQMNi4)
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone
![image001.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2014/07/image001.jpg/image001.jpg?h=c2c5b897&itok=Zkem208v)
![Elisa Oddone](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg/Elisa%20Oddone.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=W5hT7GJC)
Elisa Oddone