[Spook]

Rubberneck,

It's obvious that AQ chose Jordan because it is the most moderate of Middle East nations, and clearly has the closest ties to the West, politically and economically. When I say closest ties, I mean without hidden agendas.

True, it may backfire on them to an extent, but not as much as if AQ were to begin Ops in Syria/Iran, where there is general distain for the US in particular and have been very little dialogue politically between those regimes and the US.

The Jordanian govt, it's monarchy in particular, have the back of the US. Where as others in the region are more of a conditional bunch and still take into great consideration how they will appear in the eyes of other followers of the Qaran-nations. Jordan on the other hand has always said, our relationship with the US is what it is and we don't care who sees it or what they think. So, to me it is of little surprise that AQ would strike at Jordan.

As for AQ launching Ops/campaigns in Syria and/or Iran...I don't see it happening anytime soon, if even at all. But if history has taught us anything, it's that you never know what will happen next.

One thing is certain, AQ is going global in the sense that it doesn't fear reprisal or fallout of other Muslim nations when it is in the planning stages of it's Ops. They have crossed the LOD when it comes to attacks on it's own.