Since 2011, some 1.4 million Syrian refugees have entered Jordan; they now constitute 13 percent of the country’s population, and their presence is straining the kingdom’s already weak economy. Robert Satloff and David Schenker offer some suggestions for preventing a political upheaval:
Jordan’s stability is a high priority for the United States. It is a main partner in fighting Islamic State, in confronting Iranian expansionism, and in supporting a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Jordan’s quiet cooperation with its treaty partner, Israel, is a plus for U.S. regional interests. . . .
Washington should [i]ncrease humanitarian assistance [to the refugees]. . . . [It also] should press European and Arab allies (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait) to add an annual budget-support component of $1 billion to its existing infrastructure investment projects in the kingdom.
To entice Syrians to remain in the region, if not in Syria itself, it will be necessary to provide a degree of economic opportunity. Washington should encourage European states —in particular, Germany—to invest in job-creation initiatives in Jordan, once Jordan provides a larger number of Syrian refugees with work permits. . . .
Although Jordan has implemented some under-the-radar efforts to support communities on the Syrian side of the border, those efforts lack the imprimatur and staying power of a fully supported humanitarian safe zone, where U.S.-led coalition forces provide security for the shelter and feeding of internally displaced Syrians. Establishing such a zone with partners in the anti-Islamic State coalition would serve both U.S. strategic interests in safeguarding Jordan and humanitarian concerns by protecting civilians.
Read more on Washington Institute for Near East Policy: http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/growing-stress-on-jordan