Jordan’s young crown prince makes global debut in UN speech
AMMAN, Jordan — Just a year out of college, Jordan’s crown prince has made his debut on the world’s biggest stage, addressing the U.N. General Assembly — the clearest sign yet that he is on a fast track to a prominent public role at home and abroad.
The accelerated roll-out of 23-year-old Crown Prince Hussein underscores the continuity of the Hashemite dynasty — a reassuring prospect for Western and Arab allies who view the stability of the kingdom, a front-line state in the battle against Islamic extremism, as a key concern.
The prince is also seen as a domestic asset for the monarchy at a time of sharp economic downturn and growing discontent, particularly among his contemporaries. More than half of Jordanians are younger than 24, with more than one-third in that age group unemployed, and many feel excluded from opportunities.
Hussein’s growing visibility and focus on the concerns of his generation “would give many today a kind of hope that something will change in Jordan,” provided it is linked to a reform plan, said analyst Amer Sabaileh.