By: Kate Konvitz; Credit: The Myriad News
Kate Konvitz explains how Arab Gulf State Oman carries a neutral foreign policy and acts as the official “Middle Eastern Peace Broker”.
Oman acts as the peace broker of the Middle East region
The ancient proverb “the enemy of my enemy, is my friend” is often used to characterize the multifaceted political climate of the Middle East. While most nations ally with states which share common enemies, Oman is a nonconformist, and has instead instituted a neutral foreign policy based on the principle that “the enemy of my enemy may still be my friend.”
Located in a volatile region, many wonder why Oman would assume such a critical, high pressure role wherein they mediate Gulf, Arab and even international conflicts. As a small state, neutrality and hedging—a strategy in which a state spreads its risk by pursuing multiple deals—creates economic opportunity, military relationships and increases overall Omani influence on an international scale.
While such opportunities might appeal to all small states, what ultimately encouraged the late Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said to pursue neutrality and become Peace Broker is Oman’s Ibhadi religion and political history. Oman profoundly impacts Israel and Iran, initiating previously taboo dialogues over issues such as Israeli statehood and nuclear proliferation.
Motivated by both their small state status and unique political and religious history, Oman has adopted strategic hedging policies leading to its role as the “Middle Eastern Peace Broker”. Oman’s multilateral operations, while ever-evolving, have resulted in groundbreaking dialogues that serve to hopefully stabilize the region and satisfy the economic and political goals of neighboring states.
Peaceful foreign relations help the Omani economy
Neutrality likens the possibility that more nations will engage in economic relations with Oman. As a small state, even Oman’s most valuable resource—crude oil—has had only a modest effect on global trade. While hydrocarbon revenue accounts for 72 percent of government revenues, Omani oil as of 2017 only accounts for 0.3 percent of world exports.
During the trough of the business cycle, oil demand and price falls, diseconomies of scale occur. Thus, as opposed to nations which contribute a larger percentage of oil to the world supply, Oman receives little foreign aid.
To resolve their economic shortfalls, Oman turns to borrowing from abroad, seeking investment in diversification of the Omani economy, and seeking assistance from as many neighbors as possible. As the Middle East’s mediator, bin Said realized Oman connects and impresses powerful nations, who then befriend and economically aid the small state.
Iran helps Oman maintain security along the Straits of Hormuz
Often viewed as vulnerable, small states face disproportionate internal and external security threats. In becoming a peace broker, Oman has gained security guarantees from world powers. Internally, widespread unemployment frustration has normalized political unrest, threatening the nature of the sultanate.
Engaging in economic deals that result from relationships formed during mediation can improve domestic economic conditions, thus quelling protests. Externally, Oman faces maritime threats on the Strait of Hormuz and risks being a pawn in proxy wars between larger powers.
While Oman might be left behind to defend Hormuz itself if it assumed an alliance based foreign policy, its neutrality won a joint Omani-Iranian commission dedicated to maintaining Hormuz security. Additionally, in remaining neutral and balancing its relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Western nations and Iran, Oman has reduced the risk of direct military confrontation in the event of a conflict exploding between these nations.
Oman practices religious neutrality as a successful small state
Desiring to both mirror religious values and protect his people from religious fatwas (Islamic rule of law) and foreign influence, bin Said moved towards a non-aligned foreign policy. A majority of Omanis are Ibhadi, a minority set of Islam that tolerates non-Muslims and insists on keeping good terms with other religious orders, and is often considered radical by other sects of Islam for doing so.
Recently, a Libyan fatwa labeled Ibhadis as “infidels without dignity,” raising concern for violent outbreaks. In choosing neutrality, and thus rising to the position of a peace broker, Oman not only outwardly expresses its religious ideals of comity and widespread tolerance, but also gains security guarantees that protect Omanis from outside religious fatwas.
Historically, foreign influences in Oman inflamed deep divisions between the Sultanate and Imamate. While disagreements over the issue of succession to the throne already existed, the British further polarized the two groups after deciding to back the Sultanate; the Imamate was infuriated over what they viewed as British regional imperialism.
When oil was discovered in Oman’s interior, a region controlled by the Imamate, British backed Sultanate forces invaded and won what is today known as the Jebel Akhdar War. Taking history into account when deciding foreign policy, bin Said wanted to adopt a position that prevents foreign manipulation and fosters harmony between the Sultanate and Imamate. Needing foreign aid to defend against the Dhofar Rebellion (1962-1976), bin Said settled on a neutral foreign policy to maintain Omani sovereignty while still enabling the small state to reap the benefits of multinational cooperation.
Oman is a potential connector between Israel and Arab nations
Through groundbreaking dialogues, Oman has trail-blazed positive Arab-Israeli relations. Ultimately, bin Said knew Israeli integration would limit regional disputes, and instead promote an environment of stability and technological advancement.
On December 27, 1994, the Sultan led the first official meeting between an Arab Gulf leader and an Israeli official. Although other Arab states disapproved, the meeting planted the seed for integrating Israel into the Arab world. Since then, Oman has engaged in technological and economic activity with Israel, even when political relations were suspended during the Second Palestinian Intifada.
When other Gulf states discovered the desalination plants Israel was developing in arid Oman, they were suddenly willing to meet with Israeli officials. While still denying public ties with Israel, the Gulf nations knew technological relations would be beneficial, leading to the “Tracks of Peace,” a railroad system from Haifa through the Gulf states.
More recently, although Oman believes in the creation of an independent Palestinian stat, it has requested that neighboring nations recognize Israel, and assure that Israel is not under threat: “Israel despite its full power is not assured of its future and doesn’t feel secure because it’s a non-Arab country living in an Arab neighborhood,” stated Omani foreign minister Yusuf bin Alawi.
While a majority of Gulf nations oppose recognition, Oman believes that recognition and engagement with Israel will ultimately de-escalate tensions and foster compromise between Israelis and Palestinians.
Oman mediates between Iran and the United States
Because of Iran’s hunt for regional hegemony, Oman believes the stability of the Middle East depends on the reconciliation of Western-Gulf-Iranian tensions. Mostly notably, in negotiating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Oman exemplified how economic and security guarantees can only arise through peaceful solutions and mutual understandings.
Since 2003, there has been major mistrust between the West and Iran: while the West feared Iran abusing its nuclear power, Iran had feared a US invasion, such as the one that occurred previously in Iraq.
Concerned that the tension could erupt into violence, Oman assumed responsibility for mediating the dialogue, realizing only a nation, such as itself, with strong ties to both parties could facilitate a discussion. At meetings, Oman explained Iran’s political fears, ensuring Americans fully understood the depth of Iranian mistrust.
Aside from the successful security development that is the JCPOA, Oman was rewarded for its mediation efforts with economic guarantees from both parties. In 2016, for instance, the United States and Oman signed a Science and Technology Cooperation agreement. As for Iran, a twenty-five year gas exportation deal was signed in late 2015.
Oman’s late Sultan bin Said leaves a legacy of neutrality and peace
Motivated by both its small state’s needs and unique history, Oman has assumed the role of peace broker and attempted to blaze the path to a peaceful Middle East.
Everywhere, people admire how it broke from a typical alliance-based foreign policy, with some even voicing their opinions on social media: “As a Lebanese citizen I would say take the Lebanese “democracy” and give us a ruler like Oman’s Sultan bin Said,” one Twitter user said.
While bin Said may have passed in January 2020, he has left behind a legacy of compromise and tolerance. In years to come, Oman is suspected to continue its neutral foreign policy.