The third week of February 2026 in Jordan witnessed intense governmental and diplomatic activity; in a preemptive move, the Jordanian government advanced the draft of the amended social security law for 2026 as a bitter dose in a Ramadan package. The amendments, which included sensitive clauses related to raising the retirement age and increasing the number of contribution years, were launched at a strategically chosen time; announcing the proposal before Ramadan bets on the "spiritual calm" and the public's preoccupation with social rites, to absorb the shock of the "forced saving" programs and the increase in popularly and elitely rejected subscription costs.
The government here adopts a "local anesthesia" approach by exploiting religious seasons to pass laws that affect the livelihood core. Despite the actuarial necessity of sustaining the Social Security Fund being beyond dispute, the government is called upon to stop treating the citizen’s pocket as the "only medic" for the financial deficit. Instead of betting on the public’s silence, it should provide a transparent financial statement about the profits of the Social Security Investment Fund, and ensure that raising the retirement age will be accompanied by creating real job opportunities for the youth, so the law does not become a "dam" preventing the entry of new blood into the labor market and increasing unemployment.
In a related context, and in the search for lost popularity, the generosity of traffic violations emerged concurrently with the announcement of the security amendments in the form of a notable government decision to offer discounts up to 30% on traffic violations committed before February 17th, and the implementation of an incentive system rewarding compliant drivers with a 25% deduction on acquisition fees. This decision seemed like an attempt to inject positive energy before the fasting inconveniences and expected price pressures, and to calm the boil that the security decisions may cause.
This decision is read as a tool of "soft exaction" aimed at collecting stranded liquidity from citizens to support the treasury under the guise of "making things easier for them." Here, the government practices a "carrot and stick" policy and grants seasonal concessions in secondary files; to pass structural amendments that affect the citizen's life for decades to come, which reflects a failure in institutionalizing popular contentment away from tactical solutions; therefore, instead of these temporary gifts, the government should focus on developing the public transportation system and reducing the constant tax burden, so that compliance with the law stems from a belief in traffic justice and not in response to the "financial collection" offers launched by the treasury whenever it needs liquidity.
On the political level and royal activities, the kingdom marked a prominent international presence by the king leading a new round of "Aqaba meetings" at Sandhurst Academy. The meetings focused on cybersecurity challenges and drones, reflecting the king's vision in modernizing Jordan's defense doctrine to keep up with modern technological threats, apart from traditional conflicts. The king continues to solidify Jordan’s position as a "regional center for security and stability," which offers the kingdom a broad maneuvering margin in complex political files. This activity provides a political cover that protects the state from the repercussions of regional collapses, coinciding with the celebration of Loyalty Day for retired military personnel domestically to strengthen the internal front. This activity also indicates that the Jordanian state always succeeds in maintaining its position as a "global security center," yet the gap remains between this external political distinction and the administrative and bureaucratic performance domestically; thus, the government is today required to translate this international royal status into real investments that affect people's lives, instead of settling with the "security and defense" role as the sole stability feature of the state, with the need to activate the role of embassies and economic attachés to keep up with the royal activity pace.
On another aspect, in an attempt to balance, Jordan's position appeared firm in refusing to allow its skies or lands as a launchpad for any military action against Iran, with the announcement of technical readiness to train an international force that will later take on stability and security tasks in Gaza, putting Jordan in a "golden balance" above the regional volcano. Jordan understands that any American-Iranian clash will cost it heavily in security and economically, thus it adopts "positive neutrality." Regarding Gaza, the readiness to train the international force is political intelligence that ensures Jordan a main seat in shaping the sector's future and prevents marginalizing its geopolitical role; therefore, the government must have the courage to candidly inform the public about the details of these strategic roles, and ensure that its contribution in stabilizing Gaza does not mean engaging in security solutions that detract from the national Palestinian constants, but rather, adherence to air and land sovereignty must remain a constant principle not subjected to political bargains under economic pressure.
Finally, under the title of institutional birth, the week witnessed the launch of the "Government Academy of Management" as an arm to modernize the administrative apparatus and train young leaders. Jordan has long suffered from "administrative bloating" and favoritism in leadership appointments. Despite the positivity of the idea, there remains a fear that this academy could turn into just another "bureaucratic structure" added to the existing bloat, or a platform for legitimizing appointments linked to certain power centers under the guise of "training"; what the public administration needs are not more buildings and theoretical courses, but genuine political will that breaks the barrier of nepotism and makes "merit and field results" the only standard for promotion, a challenge that will be judged by the experiment in the coming months away from the celebratory atmosphere of the launch.
It was a week for "setting the stage"; domestically through decisions that combine pressure and enticement, and internationally through setting the kingdom’s compass away from the flames of the inflamed region.
