Oman stands out in the Middle East for its deliberate pursuit of neutrality to ensure stability. “Omani officials have relied on their country’s relative anonymity to exercise considerable influence behind the scenes, maintaining contacts with competing regional powers such as Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia in addition to the world powers battling for control of the Middle East, among them China, Russia and the United States,” explains analyst Austin Bodetti. Oman’s efforts to stabilize the region have ranged from facilitating early discussions for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that limited Iran’s nuclear program to negotiating peace talks and avoiding taking sides in numerous regional conflicts. Still, isolationism also curtails scrutiny of discontent and policies that limit human rights. Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said has been in power since 1970 and the political transition could be disruptive. Also, the nation's oil reserves may last no more than 15 years, even as such revenues make up 70 percent of the budget. Maintaining neutrality in the Middle East is a delicate balancing act, and Bodetti concludes the countries that distance themselves from regional conflicts, including Oman, Kuwait and Morocco, tend to thrive. Amid rising tensions over the US targeted killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, such regional diplomacy is needed more than ever. – YaleGlobal
