King Abdullah: 'Israel Has an Expiration Date'

King Abdullah of Jordan has always been one of the most interesting 'players' to watch in the Middle East. Charismatic, intelligent, well schooled, articulate, fluent in several languages, athletic, accomplished in the military (special forces commander), and powerful ruler - he strikes one as a significant figure in the Middle East. He is also considered as a moderate leader and when he speaks people tend to listen in the region. Official website here and profile here.

These factors make the content in this next article unexpected and significant:

King Abdullah: 'Israel Has an Expiration date'

Israel Radio reported Monday morning that King Abdullah of Jordan said "Israel has an expiration date."

Abdullah's comments were reportedly made to the BBC last week. During the interview Abdullah said Israel's survival was dependent on a two-state solution. Israel does not realize it needs such a solution, he added.

Abdullah added his government would increase pressure on Israel to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinian Authority.

Abdullah added his government would increase pressure on Israel to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinian Authority.

He did not, however, provide any concrete facts to buttress his oft repeated assertion of Israel's imminent doom.

Israel remains a regional leader in the realms of economics, military, science, and technology.

Meanwhile, former defense minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said Israel cannot afford to cut the defense budget because Israel is likely to find itself in renewed conflict with Egypt in the long-run.

This may be an insignificant story, but it is definitely one to tuck away and save for later. This kind of rhetoric is unusual for King Abdullah, and it is interesting that he would come out with such a statement at this time.