Since late 2010, protesters have been gathering across Jordan. Fearing an uprising similar to Syria’s, King Abdullah II early on began promising reforms, but the protests have begun to escalate. Sean Lee Yom, assistant professor of political science at Temple, says he is surprised at the level of “vitriol and dissent” aimed at both king and queen. “It’s unprecedented in the kingdom which has been ruled by the same family since 1950,” he said.