Abdullah II [key], 1962–, king of Jordan (1999–), b. Amman, educated at Sandhurst and Oxford in England and Georgetown Univ., Washington, D.C. He joined (1984) the Jordanian military, rose swiftly, became (1994) head of Jordan's Special Forces, and attained (1998) the rank of major general. He succeeded to the crown upon the death of his father, Hussein I, whose moderate policies he has continued. Abdullah has publicly supported political and economic reform, but major changes have not been made. He also has supported an independent Palestinian state while maintaining relatively cordial relations with Israel and generally has continued Jordan's status as an American ally.
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