Prince Talal bin Muhammad

Prince Talal bin Muhammad (born 26 July 1965) is a member of the Jordanian royal family. He is the eldest son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal, the younger brother of King Hussein of Jordan, and first cousin of the current King Abdullah; this makes him 13th in the line of succession to the Jordanian throne. He has one brother, Prince Ghazi (b. 1966).

Biography

Prince Talal's early education took place in Jordan, and from 1975 to 1983 he attended Harrow School in the United Kingdom. In September 1983 he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, and upon passing in April 1984 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Jordan Arab Army. After a few months in the Jordanian Army, he entered the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University, Washington DC in September 1984. He completed the five-year joint degree Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service – Master of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS-MSFS) program, concentrating in International Politics for his BS Degree and US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy for his MS Degree.

After undergoing further military training the US and the UK, Talal returned to the Jordanian Armed Forces, where he served as a Company Commander in a Special Forces battalion from March 1990 until March 1991. On 25 March 1991, he was appointed as Military Secretary to King Hussein. In this capacity he functioned as a personal aide to the King, taking the minutes of his meetings and accompanying him daily on his activities within Jordan and his official trips abroad. These duties expanded to charge of the King's political correspondence and speech writing – Prince Talal co-authored King Hussein's speech before a Joint Session of the US Congress marking the end of a State of War between Jordan and Israel in July 1994. Talal was further entrusted by King Hussein with intelligence liaison activities and confidential political missions.

In addition to this, Prince Talal was appointed by King Hussein as his Personal Representative in the United States in February 1992 – a position he held until the death of King Hussein in February 1999. This involved enhancing relations with the US Administration, Government and Congress following the Gulf War of 1991. Talal also advanced the King's official trips to the US, arranging his program and topics of discussion with US officials. He would then prepare his talking points, and remain behind in the US after each visit to follow up any outstanding issues. He was closely involved in securing the forgiveness of Jordan's $700 million debt to the US and the transfer of a squadron of F-16 fighter aircraft from the US to Jordan following the Washington Declaration of July 1994.

In August 1996, Prince Talal was appointed by King Hussein as Director of the National Security Council, with the task of establishing the National Security Council of Jordan. Amongst other things, he was responsible for the recruitment, training, and organization of the NSC Staff; the compilation of electronic data bases and Intelnet setup; coordination with the relevant government officials and bodies; intelligence liaison; producing and distributing a daily brief and in-depth studies; and compiling the Agenda for NSC meetings. Following the death of King Hussein, Prince Talal continued to hold this post until August 1999, when King Abdullah II appointed him as his National Security Advisor. He held this post until September 2001 when he was appointed Special Advisor to King Abdullah II.

Personal life In 1991, Prince Talal married Ghida Salaam, daughter of Hany Sala'am and Raja'a Arab. The couple live in Jordan with their three children: Prince Hussein (born 1999) and twins Princess Raja'a and Prince Muhammad (born 2001).

Education

1975–1983 The Harrow School in Harrow, London, England.

1983–1984 The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK. (Standard Military Course No.34)

1984–1989 Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Washington DC, USA. Five-year Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service-Master of Science in Foreign Service Joint Degree program BSFS Concentration: International Politics, Law and Organization. MSFS Concentration: US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

1975–1978 St Edmund's School, UK

1973–1975 American Community School, Amman

1972–1973 Orthodox College, Amman

Career

Sept. 2001 – present Special Advisor to King Abdullah II Aug.1999-Sept.2001 National Security Advisor to King Abdullah II and Director of the National Security Council Aug.1996-Aug.1999 Director of the National Security Council Feb.1992-Feb.1999 Personal Representative of King Hussein in the United States of America Mar.1991-Aug.1996 Military Secretary of King Hussein Mar.1990-Mar.1991 Officer Commanding, 2nd Company, 91st SpecialForces Battalion, Khaw, Jordan Aug.1984-Mar.1990 Special Forces Brigade Headquarters May–Aug. 1984 Deputy A-Team Leader, 1st Company, 101st Special Forces Battalion, Hashemiyyah, Jordan

Other activities Sept. 2008 – present Advisory Board Member, The James Martin 21st century School, Oxford University, UK Feb.2001– March 2002 Chairman of the National Landmine Removal and Rehabilitation Commission, Jordan Sept.1997 – present Member of the Higher Committee of the Retired Servicemen and Veterans Association, Jordan Sept.1998-Sept.2001 Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mutah University, Kerak, Jordan Sept.1998-Sept.2001 Member of the Committee of Higher Education, Jordan

Honours National honours Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Jordan Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence

Foreign honours Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (4.4.2000) Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (2.12.1994) Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star (15.11.2022)

Appointments Military promotions June 2009 Major-General June 2002 Brigadier-General May 1997 Colonel June 1994 Lieutenant-Colonel Nov.1992 Major Nov.1989 Captain Nov.1986 1st Lieutenant Apr. 1984 Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant