The is is pure conjecture on my part but based on 1400 years of Islamic history and the influence of women, beginning with the story of Aisha( read After the Prophet by Lesley Hazelton) and her influence on the Prophet Mohammed continuing through the Ommayad and Abbasid empires, to the Ottoman Empire and beyond. The intrigues in the Harem were real and often bloody in consequence. The desire of women to live through the success of their sons- ensuring he became the Sultan or Caliph was monumental and ever present. So as the gurus of Middle East reporting concentrate on foreign contacts, the era ribal and ideological aspects of the attempted coup, I think my view is the correct one.
Queen Noor. Mother of x-crown prince, prince Hamzeh.
Queen Rania mother of new Crown Prince Hussein
Recently it has been disclosed that the intrigue in the palace has taken on a dangerous phase. Apparently over 20 people, including a former minister close to the King Abdullah government, have been arrested to head off an imminent coup. It seems, despite royal refutations, that the former crown prince, Prince Hamzeh bin Hussein was in someway involved. Read my previous blog post above for a rundown on the Royal family and the mostly very ambitious women who have….in my opinion at least….brought about this crisis. Hamzeh, the son of King Hussein and the lovely, and very ambitious Queen Noor, was demoted from Crown Prince after being in that position for 4 years. King Abdullah , the son of King Hussein and his second wife, Princess Muna ( she being British was not considered genetically qualified to be designated queen, however, Queen Noor despite being an American, was the daughter of a Syrian American and therefore had the right bloodlines.) These things get complicated!!!
King Abdullah and his Palestinian wife, Rania, ( who has acquired a reputation as somewhat of a spendthrift) have gone through number of crises, particularly economic, and with half the population ( the Palestinians) considered 0f doubtful loyalty, and with dissension even among his core supporters within the tribes, king Abdullah has done better than many thought. He also has had to contend with a robust Muslim Brotherhood especially among the Muslim Brotherhood and he is not then smartest guy around. But he has had the support of the West and worked amicably with Israeli leaders.
The son of King Abdullah and Rania, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah bin Hussein bin Talal, was designated the Crown Prince in 2009, replacing Hamzeh. The crown prince is not married. According to his instagram, he enjoys reading playing football, cooking, motorcycling and playing the Guitar.
It should be remembered that in a shocker, the late King Hussein replaced his brother, Prince Hassan, who had been the crown Prince for years, just days before he died with the present King Abdullah. Prince Hassan gracefully exited stage left although his Pakistani wife was reported as being very upset. I have to wonder how much Queen Noor had to do with that last minute decision. I would say quite a bit.
Always look for the influence of wives and especially mothers in the turmoil in the Middle East
additional info. Very good article on the coup attempt in Jordan by the analytical firm MEMRI. This is is the overt explanation and mine is what propelled it.
