PLO dumps Trump easing way for Jordan-Israel negotiations

Pompeo deferred answering whether the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the most serious threat to stability in the region. He would have been derided had he agreed – given the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Libya.

On Trump's ultimate deal - Pompeo asserted:

We understand that ultimately this deal will be agreed to between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but certainly it's the case that as America continues to be involved in facilitating such an arrangement, we're doing so in close alignment with Jordan and the Jordanian people so that we're working together …

Any PLO refusal to agree to the deal will receive the Trump treatment meted out to Trump-defiers - reduced funding and diplomatic downgrading. Jordan - working in close alignment with Trump - will reap substantial dividends.

Pompeo referred to the five-year Memorandum of Understanding signed by the United States and Jordan in February committing the US to provide over $6.3 billion in bilateral foreign assistance to Jordan over the next five years – a powerful incentive for Jordan to help Trump bring his proposals to fruition.

Pompeo, significantly, provided two additional substantial sweeteners:

We'll continue to work with Jordan to help the Kingdom defend its borders, always.

Pompeo was signaling that any PLO attempt to overthrow 95 years of unbroken Hashemite rule in Jordan - unsuccessfully attempted by the PLO in September 1970 - would be rebuffed by American military force.

Protecting the Hashemite regime and Jordan's borders - coupled with massive injections of American financial aid - could see Jordan replacing the PLO as Israel's Arab partner in implementing Trump's peace proposals.

Trump - the master deal-maker - may have just pulled another rabbit out of his magic hat.