Barak and Assad s signals to each other to re-open peace talks are important for both countries. Assad fears that Israel may begin a pullout from southern Lebanon before a negotiated peace has been signed, hence robbing Syria of the Hizballah card. Syria remains a dictatorship where human rights based on political dissent are violated regularly. Entering the modern and architecturally beautiful city of Amman, one has the sense of being in a westernized city, but Jordanian society is actually quite conservative. Traditional forms of marriage arrangements between families continue among both Christians and Muslims.
Unemployment is very high in the Kingdom.
Although European and American creditors have been asked to forgive part of Jordan s debt, only a rescheduling of debt has occurred since Abdullah II ascended the throne. The Political Scene. People are frustrated by Israel s disregard of the terms of the treaty, especially regarding water resources. King Abdullah II has been taking measures to improve the Jordanian economic situation, a difficult task given the scarce resources of the country. As a younger leadership begins to take over in the Arab countries, more informed and coordinated Arab policies will result, along with a process of democratization, already introduced in a limited form by the late King Hussein.