![RTX6F1DJ.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/RTX6F1DJ.jpg/RTX6F1DJ.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=pKfBcrex)
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
![RTX6F1DJ.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/RTX6F1DJ.jpg/RTX6F1DJ.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=pKfBcrex)
![RTSNCVX.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/RTSNCVX.jpg/RTSNCVX.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=yr90qqf9)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![AaronsTombPetra.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/08/AaronsTombPetra.jpg/AaronsTombPetra.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=zdKz5sdd)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![RTR2DQK0.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/RTR2DQK0.jpg/RTR2DQK0.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=P6MEc1te)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![Flags_Qatar_Jordan.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/Flags_Qatar_Jordan.jpg/Flags_Qatar_Jordan.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=_YSh3ocN)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi attends the Arab Foreign Minister's meeting in Cairo to discuss the simmering unrest surrounding the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on July 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/06/GettyImages-823519534.jpg/GettyImages-823519534.jpg?h=1d34674f&itok=HDBr-D1d)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![RTX6U5EE.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/05/RTX6U5EE.jpg/RTX6U5EE.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=ophQ5CRK)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![RTX6931Q.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/05/RTX6931Q.jpg/RTX6931Q.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=KTqDmUQC)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![Supporters of Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Action Front party hold Palestinian flags and shout slogans during a rally to mark the 70th anniversary of Nakba in the Jordan Valley, Sweimeh, Jordan May 11, 2018. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RC1D09C32540](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/05/RTS1QZJ5.jpg/RTS1QZJ5.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=-vR3Vhwl)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![RTX6F5G7.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/04/RTX6F5G7.jpg/RTX6F5G7.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=W30X4XCq)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![Jordan's King Abdullah speaks during the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa 2019, at the King Hussein Convention Centre at the Dead Sea, Jordan April 6, 2019. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed - RC1B9C80E750](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/04/RTS2GJ8M.jpg/RTS2GJ8M.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=gQ9qSCRX)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif
![RTX6HNKZ.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/03/RTX6HNKZ.jpg/RTX6HNKZ.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=QI8Wh45u)
![Osama Al Sharif](https://www.al-monitor.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/authors/am-globe.jpg/am-globe.jpg?h=55541bb6&itok=6gyE3NCZ)
Osama Al Sharif