Jordan's pro-Western orientation will remain the cornerstone of the king's foreign policy, complemented by a policy of maintaining good relations with all Middle Eastern states in order to prevent regional tensions having a negative effect on the country. Jordan's ties with the US have been buttressed by the increased attention given to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by the US president, Barack Obama. However, the Jordanian public will be sceptical about the outcomes of the recent peace negotiations-in particular because of the US's perceived bias in favour of Israel-which are currently suspended. Recent disruption in Egypt is likely to strengthen US-Jordanian ties in the short term as the US seeks to consolidate its regional alliances. Ties with Iraq will continue to improve as commercial links between the two countries deepen, although Jordan will be wary of any resurgence in violence in Iraq. The seating of a new Iraqi government should yield some increased stability in the country, and could lead to Jordan reaping further benefits from increased trade between the two countries. The king may have a sympathetic ear in the White House, but Jordan's direct influence on the myriad conflicts and rivalries that afflict the region will be limited, given the leadership's unwillingness to jeopardise its peace treaty with Israel and its reliance on the US (and Saudi Arabia) for financial aid.