Jordan's King Abdullah II has appointed Jafar Hassan, a Harvard-educated technocrat and former planning minister, as the new prime minister following the resignation of Bisher Al-Khasawneh. Hassan's government is tasked with implementing IMF-backed reforms to address the kingdom's economic challenges, including over $50 billion in public debt and high unemployment. The recent parliamentary elections saw significant gains for the Islamist opposition, which now holds 31 seats, reflecting public discontent over the Israel-Hamas conflict. This new political landscape may pose challenges to the government's reform agenda. The king emphasized the need for modernization and strengthening democracy in the country, while also addressing the economic impact of regional conflicts. Hassan's administration will need to navigate these complex issues while maintaining stability in a pro-Western monarchy.