Hussein bin Talal (Arabic: حسين بن طلال, Ḥusayn bin Ṭalāl) (Amman, 14 November 1935 – Amman, 7 February 1999) was the King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein guided his country in the context of the Cold War, and through four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict, balancing the pressures of Arab nationalism and the allure of Western-style development against the stark reality of Jordan's geograp...
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Hussein bin Talal (Arabic: حسين بن طلال, Ḥusayn bin Ṭalāl) (Amman, 14 November 1935 – Amman, 7 February 1999) was the King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein guided his country in the context of the Cold War, and through four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict, balancing the pressures of Arab nationalism and the allure of Western-style development against the stark reality of Jordan's geographic location. His commitment to democracy, civil liberties and human rights helped to make Jordan a model state for the Middle East, and the kingdom is internationally recognized for having the most exemplary human rights record in that region. He worked tirelessly and continuously throughout his life to advance the cause of peace between Jordan and Israel (which he successfully achieved in 1994), as well as between Palestinians and Israelis.
Hussein's family claims a line of descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad. "We are the family of the...
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