In 2023, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and others normalized their ties with Syria. Even though the original reason behind severing the ties in 2011 were still present, the countries agreed on reinstating diplomatic and economic ties in exchange of reforms. The Syrian regime was expected to take back refugees, to reform its internal policies, and, notably, to curb the drug trade emanating from Syria across the region. The Syrian regime has, as experts on the country predicted, not implemented these forms. It has not taken real measures to decrease drug production or illegal trade and the trade has continued on as business as usual. In early 2024 the Jordanian army, in its fight against the trade, has even engaged militarily inside Syrian territory. This poses us with several questions, first of all, why did Jordan normalize with Syria in the first place? Did Jordan expect the Syrian regime to fulfil its promises of reform, or did Jordan have other motives (internal or external) when agreeing for normalization?