Jordan Intelligence Chief Oversaw the Arrest of American Journalist Ali Younes

The Director General of the Jordanian General Intelligence Department, General Ahmed Hussein, was revealed to have signed off on and directed the arrest of Jordanian-American investigative journalist Ali Younes. Younes was detained on August 17 after screening at Queen Alia International Airport and referred to the prosecutor's office in Amman. Jordanian officials stated that Younes was being prosecuted on charges of 'attacking the Jordanian Armed Forces' and 'spreading misleading information' for sharing an article on social media questioning U.S. aid.

Younes's attorney, Abed Ayoub, called the charges 'alarming' and defended his client, saying he never targeted the Jordanian army. The case, alongside the 2016 killing of journalist Nahed Hattar after a cartoon posting, raised fears for Younes's safety. Conservative circles and analysts in the U.S. warned that Jordan's move contradicted its press freedom commitments and could damage U.S.-Jordan strategic relations.

The U.S. has provided $33.8 billion in aid to Jordan over the past 75 years, with billions more expected under new agreements. Following a meeting between U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the Jordanian intelligence chief, members of Congress and Trump administration officials are delivering a 'release the journalist or lose funding' message. Analyst Aaron Magid argued that Younes's detention merely for sharing an article could force Washington to reassess its aid policy toward Jordan.