Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a key U.S. partner in the Middle East, and the two countries have cooperated on a number of regional and international issues. Jordan remains at peace with Israel and is a primary interlocutor with the Palestinians. Ongoing conflict and instability in the West Bank/Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and security concerns in Iraq and the Gulf states magnify Jordan’s strategic importance to the United States. Jordan also is a longtime U.S. partner in global counterterrorism operations. U.S.-Jordanian military, intelligence, and diplomatic cooperation seeks to empower political moderates, reduce sectarian conflict, and eliminate terrorist threats in the region. U.S. officials frequently express their support for Jordan. U.S. assistance has helped Jordan address serious vulnerabilities, both internal and external. Jordan’s small size, refugee burden, and lack of major economic resources have made it dependent on aid from Western and various Arab sources. Jordan also hosts nearly 4,000 U.S. troops. Since the October 2025 ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, the United States has sought Jordanian support should Israel and Hamas advance to “phase two,” a reference to the implementation of President Trump’s 20-point plan for post-conflict transition in Gaza. King Abdullah II has rejected any direct Jordanian participation in any international peacekeeping force in Gaza, citing domestic political sensitivities. Annual U.S. aid to Jordan has tripled in historical terms over the past 15 years. The United States has provided economic and military aid to Jordan since 1951 and 1957, respectively. Total bilateral U.S. aid (overseen by the Departments of State and Defense) to Jordan through FY2025 amounted to approximately $33.8 billion. On September 16, 2022, the United States and Jordan signed their fourth Memorandum of Understanding governing U.S. foreign aid to Jordan. The seven-year agreement (FY2023-FY2029), subject to appropriations of Congress, commits the Administration to seeking a total of $1.45 billion in annual economic and military aid for Jordan. During the 119th Congress, Congress has considered the following legislation pertaining to Jordan: P.L. 119-28, the Rescissions Act of 2025, exempted from rescission FY2025 Economic Support Funds (ESF) for Jordan, Egypt, and the Countering PRC Influence Fund. The FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 119-60, enacted December 18, 2025) requires a report describing all of the available authorities to provide assistance to the governments of Jordan and Lebanon. In addition, the law contains a new $1 million authorization for cyberspace sustainment and cooperation between the United States and Jordan. During House consideration of H.R. 4016, the FY2026 Defense Appropriations bill, an amendment to strike funding (up to $500 million) to support the armed forces of Jordan failed by a vote of 30-400.