An opinion poll conducted by the Jordan Centre for Social Research (JCSR) showed that terrorism is the number one problem the government needs to face. “Out of the 1,000 individuals surveyed between Dec. 10 and 14, 30.8 per cent of the respondents placed living expenses as a major priority, followed by unemployment (27.4 per cent), poverty (18.3 per cent).” [source]
You can read a good analysis of these numbers by Khalaf.
In other news, it’s been reported that Jordan is in a state of emergancy due to recent Zarqawi threats to strike again as well as the holiday season which includes Christmas, New Years and Eid. While Christmas seems to have passed without incident, it would be the ultimate irony if Zarqawi chose to strike during Eid; I doubt it would happen but I wouldn’t put it past him.
AlBawaba however posted a strange article/report concerning this piece of news. I think they have no sense of time. For example:
The measures come several months after a series of bombings by Al Qaeda in several hotels in Amman…
The attacks took place on November 9th
Jordan’s former Intelligence Chief Samih Asfura was dismissed some months back following the firing of Katyusha rockets at the southern Israeli town of Eilat and at American targets.
Actually Asfura was let go just a few days ago.
Hi Nas: I would point out that the table you show refers to the “most most important political problems, and not the most important problems. It seems that people still seperate the economy from politics. We need somebody like Clinton to say “It’s the economy, stupid!”.
al Bawaba needs to learn that a free press does not mean go ahead and make up the news.
As a concerned citizen, I think we need to face the following major issues in our daily life:
1. Unemployment
2. Corruption
3. Pollution, Pollution, Pollution
4. New Income Taxes and taxes and taxes!
ofcourse its all about the Economy!
I think the number one problem in Jordan is the democritic process, especially the parliamentary elections process and the fact that even if the elections are not rigged, not enough people are voting, and those who are voting are only voting according to tribal alliances.
Not only do we have a crippled economy, we also have a crippled political system and the public is a major reason why it is so.