No longer quiet

Nothing ever happens in Jordan, it is often said, yet 2012 has been an altogether eventful year, which prompted some pundits to wonder if the country could be the next Arab state to fall. That, for now, seems a little far-fetched, although it is clear not all is well in the Hashemite Kingdom —  neither economically, nor politically. Tensions most recently boiled over when the government of newly-elected Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour in November announced a series of price hikes for, among other things, household gas, fuel and public transport. Jordan is facing a $5 billion budget deficit and strict austerity is required to secure a $2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. Following the cabinet’s decision, thousands of people hit the streets to protest. In violent clashes in the north of the country, dozens of police officers were wounded and a demonstrator was shot dead. In May, similar