Jordanian Regent Al-Hussein bin Abdullah's recent official visit to Egypt marks, according to Arab commentators, his "introduction" at the regional level. King Abdullah's son has been in office since 2009 ie from the age of 15. Visiting Egypt was his first alone when he was not accompanying his father.

Does this indicate that the king intends to transfer power to his son soon? Most commentators think not. They do believe, though, that the king will give his son more and more regional issues to tackle in order to make him a more familiar figure beyond the borders of the kingdom.