Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Obama administration publicly pushed Hosni Mubarak out in Egypt — but made no similar demands of Jordan’s King Abdullah, even as large protests erupted over corruption, authoritarianism, and economic hardship.
This clip explains why U.S. pressure stopped short in Jordan: personal relationships, strategic interests, refugee politics, and lessons learned from Egypt all shaped the decision to stand by a key ally.
Aaron Magid is a Middle East analyst and the author of The Most American King.
#ArabSpring #Jordan #USForeignPolicy #MiddleEast #TheMostAmericanKing
This interview is from a Full episode of The Gist Podcast, Hosted by Mike Pesca.
Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/7kKphEn4piZ0jey265mOGR?si=ItHXc6xDQKOj_B4bvs8J0A&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A3Q5MaJxR4gS4CwgZUCCYVt
_______________________
Get a premium edition of the podcast and help support Mike's work:
subscribe.mikepesca.com
Join the "Gist List" membership and get access to the Gist List Newsletter with Mike's daily insights and things you missed in the news:
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Follow us:
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Visit Mike's website:
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_______________________
CREDITS:
Creator & Host:
Mike Pesca
Producer:
Corey Wara
Video Editor:
Geoff Craig
The Obama administration publicly pushed Hosni Mubarak out in Egypt — but made no similar demands of Jordan’s King Abdullah, even as large protests erupted over corruption, authoritarianism, and economic hardship.
This clip explains why U.S. pressure stopped short in Jordan: personal relationships, strategic interests, refugee politics, and lessons learned from Egypt all shaped the decision to stand by a key ally.
Aaron Magid is a Middle East analyst and the author of The Most American King.
#ArabSpring #Jordan #USForeignPolicy #MiddleEast #TheMostAmericanKing
This interview is from a Full episode of The Gist Podcast, Hosted by Mike Pesca.
Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/7kKphEn4piZ0jey265mOGR?si=ItHXc6xDQKOj_B4bvs8J0A&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A3Q5MaJxR4gS4CwgZUCCYVt
_______________________
Get a premium edition of the podcast and help support Mike's work:
subscribe.mikepesca.com
Join the "Gist List" membership and get access to the Gist List Newsletter with Mike's daily insights and things you missed in the news:
mikepesca.substack.com
Follow us:
instagram.com/pescagist
youtube.com/@pescagist
https://x.com/PescaGist
https://x.com/pescami
Visit Mike's website:
mikepesca.com
_______________________
CREDITS:
Creator & Host:
Mike Pesca
Producer:
Corey Wara
Video Editor:
Geoff Craig
