The new US Ambassador in Amman, 'Jim Holzshuender,' is a military and diplomatic figure, like his predecessors among American envoys who served in Jordan from diverse backgrounds, who have played their role in entrenching the longstanding political and strategic relations between the two countries.
What drew the attention of Jordanians broadly towards the new Ambassador was his thick, long beard, and his repeated, varied tours, which have become rich fodder for media circulation on social media and news sites—some of it acceptable, some not. Some have even attempted to read unannounced goals into the new Ambassador's actions and sketch unrealistic political scenarios that amount to little more than illusions, without having proof or justification.
Americans describe Ambassador 'Jim' as a professional, career diplomat. Therefore, it is natural to see him moving around and engaging in diverse activities with high skill. During his brief stay in Jordan, not exceeding a month, he has undertaken multiple visits as part of his daily diplomatic and non-diplomatic activity, like other ambassadors in Jordan. He made several tours, including visiting the National Olive Festival in Amman, eating at a famous Amman restaurant, and visiting the rose-red city of Petra with Fares Breizat, Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, promoting tourism between the two countries.
Why all this focus and unjustified media uproar over the US Ambassador's tours only, while other ambassadors engage in similar activities without criticism? On the contrary, many Jordanians from elite circles invite Arab or Asian ambassadors to their gatherings for various reasons, sometimes for personal interests. So why are these visits permissible for those ambassadors and forbidden for the US Ambassador in Amman?
I have observed through social media and news sites that there are Arab and foreign ambassadors who visit restaurants, economic establishments, universities, ministries, and even the General Headquarters without hearing any uproar or significant commentary on those visits.
The duties of any US Ambassador include following up on various major issues, some related to the relationship between his country and the host state, some related to protecting the safety of American citizens in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Other tasks involve protecting and advancing American interests, and enhancing partnership with the Jordanian government and people.
The previous examples clearly indicate that Ambassador 'Jim Holzshuender' is not the only American envoy to have undertaken such tours and visits; many preceded him who toured Amman and expressed admiration for many areas in Jordan. Jordanians did not object when the former Chargé d'Affaires 'Henry Wooster' expressed his admiration for the 'Zarqa River stream' on television in 2018, considering it his favorite spot.
Enough, Jordanians, with tampering with Jordan's image and its foreign relations. I firmly believe matters have taken a turn for some Jordanians, where the compass has deviated from the nature and authenticity of Jordanians, reflecting a new, hostile tone we haven't seen before in judging some diplomats, especially the United States, which has been a strategic partner for Jordan for decades and its largest supporter.
Let us look with optimism, not pessimism. Let us build bridges of cooperation, not destruction, through diplomatic representatives in our country. Let us focus on our country's interests, not criticism that will not change any situation, regardless of the United States' general policy on regional issues, especially what is happening in occupied Palestine by the Israeli enemy and its inhumane practices. Our position and judgments about the Ambassador's movements and activities will not change that American policy. Everyone must know that our wise leadership is capable of setting matters straight.
Unfortunately, recently observed on social media and through numerous press articles are attempts to cast doubt on the intentions and goals of the new Ambassador and his government, aiming to implement US strategies reaching the point of hegemony. One writer went far in his irresponsible analysis, suggesting the Ambassador began with the shemagh, olives, and mansaf as soft political tools to gauge public sentiment, describing his arrival as aiming to establish long-term influence. This interpretation is a grave error, detached from reality. It betrays a lack of political awareness of Jordan's role, capabilities, institutions, and leadership. Jordan today is not in a pre-independence phase.
In conclusion, we are a state of law and a democratic country enjoying our full sovereignty. We take pride in our strategic partnerships with major countries, like the United States, for the benefit of our country and people, established in accordance with our constitution, our Arab and Islamic values, and the wisdom of our exceptional political leadership under His Majesty King Abdullah II.
Amman- Dr. Luay Bawaneh
The new US Ambassador in Amman, 'Jim Holzshuender,' is a military and diplomatic figure, like his predecessors among American envoys who served in Jordan from diverse backgrounds, who have played their role in entrenching the longstanding political and strategic relations between the two countries.
What drew the attention of Jordanians broadly towards the new Ambassador was his thick, long beard, and his repeated, varied tours, which have become rich fodder for media circulation on social media and news sites—some of it acceptable, some not. Some have even attempted to read unannounced goals into the new Ambassador's actions and sketch unrealistic political scenarios that amount to little more than illusions, without having proof or justification.
Americans describe Ambassador 'Jim' as a professional, career diplomat. Therefore, it is natural to see him moving around and engaging in diverse activities with high skill. During his brief stay in Jordan, not exceeding a month, he has undertaken multiple visits as part of his daily diplomatic and non-diplomatic activity, like other ambassadors in Jordan. He made several tours, including visiting the National Olive Festival in Amman, eating at a famous Amman restaurant, and visiting the rose-red city of Petra with Fares Breizat, Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, promoting tourism between the two countries.
Why all this focus and unjustified media uproar over the US Ambassador's tours only, while other ambassadors engage in similar activities without criticism? On the contrary, many Jordanians from elite circles invite Arab or Asian ambassadors to their gatherings for various reasons, sometimes for personal interests. So why are these visits permissible for those ambassadors and forbidden for the US Ambassador in Amman?
I have observed through social media and news sites that there are Arab and foreign ambassadors who visit restaurants, economic establishments, universities, ministries, and even the General Headquarters without hearing any uproar or significant commentary on those visits.
The duties of any US Ambassador include following up on various major issues, some related to the relationship between his country and the host state, some related to protecting the safety of American citizens in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Other tasks involve protecting and advancing American interests, and enhancing partnership with the Jordanian government and people.
The previous examples clearly indicate that Ambassador 'Jim Holzshuender' is not the only American envoy to have undertaken such tours and visits; many preceded him who toured Amman and expressed admiration for many areas in Jordan. Jordanians did not object when the former Chargé d'Affaires 'Henry Wooster' expressed his admiration for the 'Zarqa River stream' on television in 2018, considering it his favorite spot.
Enough, Jordanians, with tampering with Jordan's image and its foreign relations. I firmly believe matters have taken a turn for some Jordanians, where the compass has deviated from the nature and authenticity of Jordanians, reflecting a new, hostile tone we haven't seen before in judging some diplomats, especially the United States, which has been a strategic partner for Jordan for decades and its largest supporter.
Let us look with optimism, not pessimism. Let us build bridges of cooperation, not destruction, through diplomatic representatives in our country. Let us focus on our country's interests, not criticism that will not change any situation, regardless of the United States' general policy on regional issues, especially what is happening in occupied Palestine by the Israeli enemy and its inhumane practices. Our position and judgments about the Ambassador's movements and activities will not change that American policy. Everyone must know that our wise leadership is capable of setting matters straight.
Unfortunately, recently observed on social media and through numerous press articles are attempts to cast doubt on the intentions and goals of the new Ambassador and his government, aiming to implement US strategies reaching the point of hegemony. One writer went far in his irresponsible analysis, suggesting the Ambassador began with the shemagh, olives, and mansaf as soft political tools to gauge public sentiment, describing his arrival as aiming to establish long-term influence. This interpretation is a grave error, detached from reality. It betrays a lack of political awareness of Jordan's role, capabilities, institutions, and leadership. Jordan today is not in a pre-independence phase.
In conclusion, we are a state of law and a democratic country enjoying our full sovereignty. We take pride in our strategic partnerships with major countries, like the United States, for the benefit of our country and people, established in accordance with our constitution, our Arab and Islamic values, and the wisdom of our exceptional political leadership under His Majesty King Abdullah II.
Amman- Dr. Luay Bawaneh
The new US Ambassador in Amman, 'Jim Holzshuender,' is a military and diplomatic figure, like his predecessors among American envoys who served in Jordan from diverse backgrounds, who have played their role in entrenching the longstanding political and strategic relations between the two countries.
What drew the attention of Jordanians broadly towards the new Ambassador was his thick, long beard, and his repeated, varied tours, which have become rich fodder for media circulation on social media and news sites—some of it acceptable, some not. Some have even attempted to read unannounced goals into the new Ambassador's actions and sketch unrealistic political scenarios that amount to little more than illusions, without having proof or justification.
Americans describe Ambassador 'Jim' as a professional, career diplomat. Therefore, it is natural to see him moving around and engaging in diverse activities with high skill. During his brief stay in Jordan, not exceeding a month, he has undertaken multiple visits as part of his daily diplomatic and non-diplomatic activity, like other ambassadors in Jordan. He made several tours, including visiting the National Olive Festival in Amman, eating at a famous Amman restaurant, and visiting the rose-red city of Petra with Fares Breizat, Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, promoting tourism between the two countries.
Why all this focus and unjustified media uproar over the US Ambassador's tours only, while other ambassadors engage in similar activities without criticism? On the contrary, many Jordanians from elite circles invite Arab or Asian ambassadors to their gatherings for various reasons, sometimes for personal interests. So why are these visits permissible for those ambassadors and forbidden for the US Ambassador in Amman?
I have observed through social media and news sites that there are Arab and foreign ambassadors who visit restaurants, economic establishments, universities, ministries, and even the General Headquarters without hearing any uproar or significant commentary on those visits.
The duties of any US Ambassador include following up on various major issues, some related to the relationship between his country and the host state, some related to protecting the safety of American citizens in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Other tasks involve protecting and advancing American interests, and enhancing partnership with the Jordanian government and people.
The previous examples clearly indicate that Ambassador 'Jim Holzshuender' is not the only American envoy to have undertaken such tours and visits; many preceded him who toured Amman and expressed admiration for many areas in Jordan. Jordanians did not object when the former Chargé d'Affaires 'Henry Wooster' expressed his admiration for the 'Zarqa River stream' on television in 2018, considering it his favorite spot.
Enough, Jordanians, with tampering with Jordan's image and its foreign relations. I firmly believe matters have taken a turn for some Jordanians, where the compass has deviated from the nature and authenticity of Jordanians, reflecting a new, hostile tone we haven't seen before in judging some diplomats, especially the United States, which has been a strategic partner for Jordan for decades and its largest supporter.
Let us look with optimism, not pessimism. Let us build bridges of cooperation, not destruction, through diplomatic representatives in our country. Let us focus on our country's interests, not criticism that will not change any situation, regardless of the United States' general policy on regional issues, especially what is happening in occupied Palestine by the Israeli enemy and its inhumane practices. Our position and judgments about the Ambassador's movements and activities will not change that American policy. Everyone must know that our wise leadership is capable of setting matters straight.
Unfortunately, recently observed on social media and through numerous press articles are attempts to cast doubt on the intentions and goals of the new Ambassador and his government, aiming to implement US strategies reaching the point of hegemony. One writer went far in his irresponsible analysis, suggesting the Ambassador began with the shemagh, olives, and mansaf as soft political tools to gauge public sentiment, describing his arrival as aiming to establish long-term influence. This interpretation is a grave error, detached from reality. It betrays a lack of political awareness of Jordan's role, capabilities, institutions, and leadership. Jordan today is not in a pre-independence phase.
In conclusion, we are a state of law and a democratic country enjoying our full sovereignty. We take pride in our strategic partnerships with major countries, like the United States, for the benefit of our country and people, established in accordance with our constitution, our Arab and Islamic values, and the wisdom of our exceptional political leadership under His Majesty King Abdullah II.
comments
Writer decries unjustified attacks on US Ambassador's role
display options :
Full
Main image only
without images
comments