AMMAN, Jordan — While political analysts stateside have been dissecting the American presidential race, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s recent remarks have stirred controversy thousands of miles away in the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan. Clinton told an audience Oct. 7 in Mount Vernon, Iowa, that a final peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians is unlikely until both sides “know what happens in Syria" and also depends on whether Jordan remains stable.

Questioning Jordan’s long-term stability angered many in the country’s political elite. “It’s definitely an irresponsible comment and Jordan should receive some clarification on what she meant,” professor Musa Shtewi told Al-Monitor. The University of Jordan’s director of the Center for Strategic Studies continued, “She [Clinton] knows Jordan quite well. It is very significant and worrisome.”

In light of Jordan’s strong relationship with the United States and the mutual respect between the two countries, Oraib Rantawi, director of the Amman-based Al Quds Center think tank, told Al-Monitor that Clinton’s remarks were “shocking.”

Clinton is the leading Democratic candidate for president. She served as secretary of state during President Barack Obama’s first term, 2009- 2013, with access to the country’s top intelligence assessments. As the top US diplomat, Clinton repeatedly met with King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.