In an otherwise dismal week for the fight against Islamist terrorism, Americans have been cheered up by one tough-talking world leader: The king of Jordan.
King Abdullah II drew praise for his strong words and forceful military response to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s murder of Jordanian pilot Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh. The otherwise quiet monarch emerged suddenly as a terrifying foe to organized terror.
Following news that the Islamic State had murdered al-Kasasbeh, Abdullah, who was in America on business when he learned of the grisly execution, told U.S. lawmakers in a closed door meeting that he would pursue the group, which controls substantial portions of Jordan’s neighbors Iraq and Syria, until Jordan’s military runs “out of fuel and bullets.”
“He said there is going to be retribution like ISIS hasn’t seen,” Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr., R-Calif., told reporters after the private meeting. “He mentioned ‘Unforgiven’ and he mentioned Clint Eastwood, and he actually quoted a part of the movie.”
Abdullah, himself a former general, wasn’t bluffing: Not long after his meeting with U.S. lawmakers, the king returned home and Jordan’s air force immediately launched airstrikes on Islamic State positions, reportedly killing several enemy combatants.
“The blood of the martyred hero Muath Kasasbeh will not go in vain,” he said Thursday, according to the Jordan Times. “We are waging this war to protect our faith, values and humanitarian principles.”
And as Jordan continued to rain hellfire on militants, social media users everywhere began to learn more about Jordan’s so-called “Warrior King.”
Enthusiastic praise for Abdullah began not just with news of his promise to destroy the Islamic State, but also with some misinformation: A rumor he would personally fly sorties against the terrorist group.
Reports that Jordanian King Abdullah, himself a pilot, will fly sorties on ISIS targets. pic.twitter.com/mZetDARLOI
— Joseph Braude (@josephbraude) February 4, 2015
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The rumor was widely shared, accompanied by an old photo of Abdullah in a flight suit, the ultra-virile optics of which drew enthusiastic praise on social media.
“Now comes word that Jordan’s King Abdullah is heading for the front lines. Hard. Core,” Twitchy reported.
“This is a photo going around the Internet tonight of the badass King Abdullah II,” the conservative news site Right Scoop said in a post.
“Wow,” the Council on Foreign Relations’ Janine Davidson tweeted in response to a tweet that included both the rumor and the flight suit photo.
“What a statement that would make,” Fox News’ Steve Doocy said.
The report of the Hashemite king flying into combat proved too good to be true. Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told CNN Thursday the rumor, though “creative,” was totally false.
But hoax or no hoax, Abdullah’s tough stance continued to win him new fans.
Some Twitter users drew sharp contrasts between Abdullah and President Obama, suggesting that the monarch would be a better U.S. president.
“Jordan’s King Abdullah took swift revenge against #ISIS. Who do you think is tougher: King Abdullah or President Obama?” Fox News’ Sean Hannity asked his viewers.
Some Americans even suggested jokingly that Abdullah should consider a White House bid. Some characteristic tweets:
“Latest AP polls show Jordanian King Abdullah leads the pack of GOP contenders in 2016.”
“King Abdullah II for President in 2016!”
“For US president 2016 = King Abdullah II of Jordan. With Toronto mayor Rob Ford VP. Just need to amend Constitution.”
While few expect an actual presidential run by the Amman-born king, invidious comparisons with the current U.S. president proved tempting during a week that saw Obama contextualizing the Islamic State’s daily brutality by making references to religiously-motivated abuses by Christians in the distant past.
“He is stepping up with strong leadership and clarity,” Elisabeth Hasselbeck said. “What is our president doing?
“ISIS is now going to regret this … because King Abdullah is not Barack Obama,” read one article published by Cain TV.
“11 photos showing King Abdullah II of Jordan being a total badass,” Business Insider said in one headline, promising to titillate its readers with even more ultra-virile photos.
“What the f**k is #StrategicPatience?” NRA News’ Cameron Gray asked in a tweet, referring to the State Department official’s explanation for the slow U.S. approach to gains by the Islamic State.
“The King of Jordan,” Gray added, making sure to include the aforementioned photo of Abdullah in his flight suit.
In many cases it’s not clear whether Abdullah fans are responding to Jordan’s new offensive against the Islamic State or are still under the impression that the head of state will be flying a Cobra against the jihadists. But on one point everybody seems to agree: The King’s hard-guy cred skyrocketed this week.
“King #Abdullah of #Jordan is a total badass,” Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Peter Lerner said, adding also the hashtag “#LeadByExample” to his message.
The Independent ran a story Friday referring to Abdullah as the “Action Man.”
“King Abdullah of Jordan takes revenge against ISIS & inspires his people,” a Twitter account called “Nevada Tea Party” said Friday, including also a picture of Obama on a bicycle.
“King Abdullah of #Jordan is definitely having a moment,” BuzzFeed News Middle East Correspondent Sheera Frenkel added.
Meanwhile, as Americans on social media continue to heap praise on Abdullah, Jordan’s war to eliminate the Islamic State continues.
After the fiery execution of al-Kasasbeh Monday, large crowds gathered in Jordan to protest the fanatical terror group. Though experts often cast doubt on the Hashemite monarchy’s stability in a nation where about half the population is of Palestinian descent, Jordanians this week made a rare show of unity, and Americans liked what they saw.
