Gulf states, other Muslim countries refuse to join US-Jordanian exercise

The annual Eager Lion military exercise kicked off this week in Jordan, with only two countries, Jordan and the US, taking part. Last year the counterterror drills drew troops from 18 countries in the Persian Gulf, the Middle East and North Africa. No explanation was given for the cancellations this year.
The 10-day exercise until the middle of next week involves 3,000 US special forces, navy and air force troops, and 3,000 members of the Jordanian special forces.