Jordan

Regardless of how much relief money is spent, life for the refugees in Lebanon and Jordan will become increasingly inhospitable absent a horizon for return to Syria.

U.S., Israeli, and Palestinian negotiations could lower the heat and shed some light on the clash over Jordan Valley security arrangements by promoting a public debate grounded in the facts of current and prospective Israeli deployments.

Concerned about the possible drift of al-Qaeda affiliates to areas adjacent to the Golan Heights border, Israel finds itself obliged to increase its assistance to local rebel militias in southern Syria.

Given the numerous external threats facing Jordan and the reversal of the Brotherhood's political fortune at home, the organization is now the least of King Abdullah's worries.

Jordan is in danger of associating its traditionally enlightened monarchy with the practices of its repressive neighbors.

Through professional military education, exchange-officer programs, and U.S.-based exercises, Washington can gain long-term influence with partner militaries throughout the Middle East and North Africa at modest cost.

To avoid upsetting the kingdom's stability, Washington should be more discreet about U.S.-Jordanian security cooperation on Syria.

As Syria heads toward a meltdown spilling over its borders -- with loss of control over strategic weapons, accelerated refugee flows, spreading extremism, and Sunni-Shiite clashes -- only engaging with those doing the fighting will give Washington much influence over events.

Subscribe to Washington Institute videos on YouTube. Sign up for live event broadcast alerts from The Washington Institute On March 18, 2013, Dennis Ross, David Makovsky, and Michael Singh addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Ambassador Ross, the Institute's counselor, served most recently as special assistant to President