The move to broaden the international discussion table was initially met with some resistance from the US, but it eventually acceded to Russia’s suggestions. It wasn’t surprising that Moscow wanted to make the Vienna talks more inclusive, but what did catch many observers off guard was Russia and Jordan’s agreement to set up a joint anti-terrorist coordination facility in Amman.
Up until this point, the Hashemite Kingdom had been a firm ally of the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, but now it looks as if the ISIL threat has prompted it to be much more pragmatic in its regional outlook.
Victor Mizin, vice president of the Center for Strategic Assessments in Moscow (studio guest) and Ali Rizk, Journalist, Writer and Interpreter (from Beirut) commented on the issue.
