AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan’s old guards have been making a comeback ever since the onslaught of the Arab Spring began to recede in early 2012. The change started when reformist Prime Minister Awn al-Khasawneh resigned in April 2012 in protest over royal intervention in his policies. Khasawneh, a former international jurist, had tried to reclaim full independence from the royal court and attempted to engage the Islamists — who were leading the opposition — in an open dialogue. King Abdullah then appointed conservative politician Fayez al-Tarawneh as prime minister. The appointment signaled a major shift in the regime’s response to public protests calling for political reforms.
Such a shift was prompted by regional changes in Syria, where jihadists were making their presence felt on the ground and competing with secular opposition groups. Later, the regime would sense the growing public discontent with Egypt’s Islamists, which reflected on Jordanians who opposed a similar takeover by the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan.
Furthermore, the regime had presented a package of constitutional reforms, which it believed was enough to satisfy the country’s political establishment as well as disgruntled citizens. By mid-2012, the regime was convinced that Jordan’s version of the Arab Spring was fading fast. The coalition between the Muslim Brotherhood and an alliance of nationalist and leftist parties and groups had collapsed. The youth movement (hirak) had failed to win the support of middle-class Jordanians. Their anti-regime slogans were rejected by most. Public protests were receding and Jordanians were vocalizing fears about the increase in the state of lawlessness in many parts of the country.
Throughout the early weeks and months of the Arab Spring, the regime had opted to deal peacefully with protests. Abdullah expressed sympathy and understanding for public demands. He offered his own vision for medium- and long-term political reforms through a series of articles. He made it clear that he was leading the process of reform and fighting corruption in the public sector.
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