Jordanian King Hussein was educated in England. He watched as his grandfather was assassinated before his eyes for negotiating with Israel. When his father was forced to abdicate due to mental illness, Hussein became King.

Hussein followed a largely moderate pro-Western policy. In 1967, he entered the Arab war against Israel, and lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel.

Prior to the Gulf War of 1991, he publicly supported Saddam Hussein and consequently lost vital Western and moderate Arab aid.

By the time of his death in 1999, Hussein had regained much of his prestige due to his unequivocal support for the Middle East peace process and his personal intervention to help formalize the Wye Agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.