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Osama Al Sharif is a veteran journalist and political commentator based in Amman who specializes in Middle East issues. He can be reached at alsharif.osama@gmail.com. On Twitter: @plato010
![RTR4CIC3.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/05/RTR4CIC3.jpg/RTR4CIC3.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=xO3kFCHF)
![Jordan's King Abdullah (2nd L) speaks with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L), upon his arrival at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, August 4, 2015. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTX1N1G0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/04/RTX1N1G0.jpg/RTX1N1G0.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=3HCbmp7A)
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![Soldiers stand guard at the Jordanian-Syrian border, near Mafraq, August 16, 2015. Commander of the Jordanian Border Guard, Brigadier General Saber Mahayrah, said on Sunday that there was no sign of Nusra Front or Islamist State fighters on the border between Jordan and Syria. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTX1OELU](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/02/RTX1OELU.jpg/RTX1OELU.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=wDOZY8NC)
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![Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra drive a tank on Al-Khazan frontline of Khan Sheikhoun, northern Idlib province May 17, 2014. REUTERS/Hamid Khatib (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS CONFLICT) - RTR3PM99](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/12/RTR3PM99.jpg/RTR3PM99.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=B2j50N22)
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![Jordan's King Abdullah (2nd R) walks to welcome Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon his arrival at the Royal Palace in Amman, Jordan, August 4, 2015. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTX1N1AN](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/10/RTX1N1AN.jpg/RTX1N1AN.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=N40uydtR)
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![Soldiers stand guard at the Jordanian-Syrian border, near Mafraq, August 16, 2015. Commander of the Jordanian Border Guard, Brigadier General Saber Mahayrah, said on Sunday that there was no sign of Nusra Front or Islamist State fighters on the border between Jordan and Syria. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RTX1OELU](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/08/RTX1OELU.jpg/RTX1OELU.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=EL2rDiXD)
Osama Al Sharif is a veteran journalist and political commentator based in Amman who specializes in Middle East issues. He can be reached at alsharif.osama@gmail.com. On Twitter: @plato010