US to nearly double financial aid to Jordan

The Obama administration is hoping to nearly double US assistance to Jordan over the next two years as the country struggles to cope with domestic issues and pressure from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh (L) speaks as US Secretary of State John Kerry looks on during a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding for US assistance to Jordan on February 3, 2015 at a hotel in Washington, DC. (photo credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP)

Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh sign an agreement that will see American aid to Jordan rise from $660 million to $1 billion per year between 2015 to 2017.

The money is subject to congressional approval. It is intended to help Jordan deal with a massive influx of refugees from Syria, support its security and energy needs as well as promote social, political and economic reform.

— AP