The Gist Aaron Magid on King Abdullah, "The Most American King"
Feb 9, 2026
Aaron Magid, Middle East analyst and author of The Most American King, explores King Abdullah II’s deep personal and institutional ties to the United States. He discusses Abdullah’s upbringing, military background, and why Jordan gets special U.S. treatment. Conversation covers security cooperation, refugee policy, human rights tradeoffs, and unanswered questions like the Prince Hamza affair.
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U.S.-Jordan Relationship Is Deep And Strategic
- King Abdullah's ties to the U.S. combine personal history and strategic alignment, making him unusually close to Washington.
- Jordan receives substantial U.S. aid and political cover because Abdullah delivers security and cooperation on regional crises.
Abdullah's Genuine American Life Experience
- Abdullah grew up in the U.S., attended Deerfield and Georgetown, and trained with U.S. forces in Kentucky.
- He even owned property in the Washington area and appeared on a Star Trek episode as a prince.
Prince Abdullah's Star Trek Cameo
- As a prince Abdullah couldn't get a Star Trek line because he wasn't a union member, though he later became king.
- That moment underscored his unusual public persona compared with other Arab leaders.
