By Eleonora Banfi
The decision to establish NATO’s first liaison office in the Middle East, located in Amman, announced during the 2024 summit in Washington D.C., has sparked widespread controversy, particularly within the Arab world. While the Jordanian government and NATO have framed this move as a step toward strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing security, critics argue that it may further entrench the militarization of peace efforts and exacerbate existing geopolitical tensions. This development also raises critical questions about the implementation for the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Jordan. Although the NATO Policy on WPS 2024 – endorsed during the same summit – emphasizes the integration of gender perspectives into all aspects of security and defense, the presence of NATO in Jordan brings with it the potential for increased investments in the military sector but also the sidelining of civil society role within this framework.
This article explores the dual-edged nature of this development, examining how the NATO office might contribute to advancing the WPS agenda by bringing resources while highlighting the risks of overshadowing gender equality efforts with a predominantly military focus. Furthermore, it considers the implications for civil society and the long-term impact on regional stability, questioning whether the NATO presence could inadvertently perpetuate conflict dynamics rather than fostering sustainable peace.
The establishment of NATO’s office in Jordan presents a significant opportunity to advance the WPS agenda in the Arab Region. With the presence of NATO, Jordan stands to benefit from an increasing of financial resources and institutional support dedicated to the security sector which will surely impact gender mainstreaming initiatives. This is expected to facilitate the transfer of expertise and best practices from NATO member states, which have developed robust frameworks for integrating gender perspectives into their military and security operations. The presence of NATO in Jordan is going to be central to the operationalization of the WPS agenda through the implementation of gender-sensitive practices within the security sector. The NATO WPS Policy 2024 provides a framework for these efforts and supports the integration of gender considerations into conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict recovery.
To this end, the office would foster a more comprehensive approach to of peace and security strategies beyond traditional military approaches. This influence is likely to set a precedent in the region, encouraging other countries to adopt similar gender-sensitive practices in their security sectors. In these efforts, NATO engagement could help bring more equitable and effective security outcomes for national and regional stability. This strategic alignment with NATO’s WPS Policy 2024 ensures that the empowerment of women and the protection of their rights remain central to peacebuilding efforts in Jordan and the broader region.
On the other hand, these effects need to be considered against the potential risks of ‘securitization overshadowing gender equality with an overwhelmingly military focus. The NATO office’s primary mandate revolves around defense cooperation, counter-terrorism, and security sector reform. While these are crucial areas within the region, there is a significant risk that the focus on military solutions might overshadow more holistic, non-military approaches to peacebuilding, at the core of UNSCR 1325. The WPS agenda, which highlights the importance of addressing root causes of conflict, fostering inclusive peace processes, and empowering women in leadership roles, could be relegated to secondary importance in a context dominated by military priorities.
However, while gender mainstreaming efforts increase the participation of women in security forces, as it happened in Jordan through the implementation of JONAP, such initiatives often do not challenge the underlying patriarchal norms that prevent women from ascending to leadership positions[1]. If the integration of women into security forces is driven primarily to meet quotas and enhance operational effectiveness, without addressing the deeper cultural and institutional barriers to gender equality, the result could be a superficial form of gender inclusion that does little to change the status quo. Besides the existing challenges that women-led CSOs face in framing their role in the implementation of JONAP on UNSCR 1325, the presence of the NATO office could further marginalize their presence in the peace and security discourse. CSOs have been crucial in advocating for the WPS agenda in the region, especially in promoting the participation of women at the grassroots level and addressing issues such as gender-based violence and human rights. However, in a security environment increasingly dominated by military actors, the voices and contributions of civil society are more often overlooked or underfunded. Therefore, with a heightened focus on the role of security forces in maintaining peace and security, there is a risk that other important actors—such as community leaders, women’s organizations, and humanitarian agencies—will be sidelined.
From a broader perspective, critical questions emerge regarding the long-term implications for regional stability and the role of women in this evolving landscape. The increased militarization of peace efforts, combined with an emphasis on deterrence and military solutions, risks perpetuating conflict dynamics in the region without addressing the root causes of instability. In such a security environment, where military approaches dominate, the WPS agenda, which advocates for inclusive and sustainable peace, struggles to gain the necessary traction. To achieve meaningful progress toward gender equality and lasting peace there must exist a balance between military solutions and holistic peacebuilding efforts.
In conclusion, NATO’s liaison office in Jordan has the potential to significantly advance the WPS agenda through the provision of financial resources and technical support. However, it is essential that this agenda is not overshadowed by a predominantly military focus. Women-led CSOs must engage in dialogue with the security sector and other key stakeholders to maintain their role in the UNSCR 1325 implementation. Balancing military and non-military strategies will be crucial for NATO’s presence in Jordan to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable peace in the region.
[1] Position Paper on Militarization of WPS in Jordan
