(MENAFN- Jordan Times) It seems unlikely that 2017 will be the year that the ongoing crises in the Middle East will be resolved.
While the Syrian crisis does appear to have been somewhat contained, a solution is still going to be difficult to come by.
The first priority for all protagonists in the region this year is to ramp up the fight against terrorists, eliminate Daesh and prepare for the aftershocks a final battle with Daesh might produce.
There will likely still be random attacks and the inevitable rise of a successor to Daesh.
All this will hinge on the new US administration's strategy in the fight against Daesh and how it will manage the restoration of peace and political stability.
Jordan must plot a course through all of this. It must be a key player in the elimination of terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, as this is inextricably linked to its internal and border security.
In addition, Jordan faces several political challenges, from the pending peace process to dealing with the implications of a potential move of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, especially given the Hashemite custody over Al Aqsa Mosque.
These challenges must be met while restoring good relations with Iraq and Syria, and improving relations with important regional players such as Iran and Turkey.
An open-door policy with all key powers in the region and creating common interests is imperative in order to diversify Jordan's strategic options.
Jordan must take advantage of the geopolitics to improve its political and economic situation.
The upcoming Arab summit in Amman is a risk, given the level of conflict and dispute among Arabs over many issues.
For the strategic interest of Jordan, the summit needs to launch some serious initiatives to put an end to the crises in Syria, Yemen and Libya.
Failure to rebuild relations among Arab nations will be a burden and will fail to result in any strategic gain for Jordan.
While many regional and international challenges are facing the Kingdom, the greatest challenge is to manage the growing economic discontent amongst Jordanians.
A serious structural reform and transformation is needed in order to be in the best position to leverage the security and political challenges and opportunities.
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