Prospects for Moving Forward

Over the past year or so, with the emergence of a young generation of leaders following long-reigning monarchs or presidents, many commentators have expressed high expectations for a new Middle East. Perhaps some have been too pessimistic, while others rather optimistic, in their views. The world scene today is different from that of decades ago. That by itself will ensure some differences. Indeed, the people of the region have changed, and change will continue in many ways, but there will be no temporal break from the past. Leaders must therefore alter the way they lead and the way they conduct themselves. Without change, there is no room for renewal and improvement and, therefore, no real chance of making a difference that will be greatly appreciated and valued by our people.

For 47 years, Jordan was fortunate to have His Majesty the late King Hussein I at the helm. Not only was he farsighted and always several steps ahead, but he also had a unique sense of leadership that always gave him a special link to the people of Jordan and beyond. This was achieved because of the tremendous trust of the people in the Hashemite House and the Hashemite message. He was the engine behind building modern Jordan. He was the force that effected peace between Israel and Jordan. Elections and parliamentary government for many years marked the essence of the rule of law. The openness of our inclusive system ensured that there would be leadership through change. This is the reputation that Jordan today enjoys. Contrary to what was predicted by some to have been a difficult and troublesome transition, I am proud to say that our constitutional process and our institutions of civil society ensured an extremely smooth one.

It is important to stress that the young generation of leaders in the Middle East and North Africa today is not the product of violent transitions. Following World War II, all countries in the region suffered the consequences of strong rivalries between world powers, to the extent that external threats were predominant and often adversely seeped through to the domestic scene. As long as an external threat was minimized one way or the other, sometimes with the help of friends, as in the case of Jordan, then achieving a stable domestic dynamic remained paramount.

An effective leader is one who values the time factor whilst forging ahead on multiple levels. Defining a vision with courage and confidence enough to be flexible would become the way to move forward--a vision with which the people can identify, one that would give them hope and propel them to work toward a brighter future. Maintaining strong ties with the people ensures their confidence and participation in the political systems. We must have the strength to relate to the people our optimism and vision to ensure that tangible development will be accomplished. With such an approach, setbacks can be turned into lessons to be learned and avoided in the future.

Our generation of young leaders has an edge over that of our fathers. While they had vast experience, we have the privilege to learn from their experiences and benefit from their great legacies. The force that we have to effect change is something they were perhaps rather reluctant to exercise. Regardless of their gravity, and with no need to pass judgment, the issues today are simply not the same issues of five decades ago. Globalization, information technology, and the concepts of citizenship bring forth unique challenges. The complex realities that have emerged in the Middle East need to be investigated and addressed in new and creative ways.

Today, we now enjoy the rich heritage of the East and the fine teachings of Islam with its high-guiding morals. This is what we were brought up with and this is what I experienced throughout my professional life in the military. We are proud of our heritage and religion, yet, we understand Western civilization and its...