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Oman’s foreign policy after Sultan Qaboos

As Sultan Haitham’s reign begins, Omanis hold fast to the Gulf state’s long-standing commitment to dialogue and regional diplomacy.
U.S. Secretary of State?Mike?Pompeo meets with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at al-Alam palace in Muscat, Oman on February 21, 2020. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via REUTERS - RC225F97S5EO

“I feel very proud to come from a peaceful country. Over the past 50 years, Sultan Qaboos taught us to build friendships, embrace differences, create bridges of peace and understanding to learn from others,” Omani politician Amna Al Balushi told Al-Monitor.

In an era of global political polarization, Oman stands out for the independent and non-aligned foreign policy it has been cultivating over decades. Strategically located between Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the sultanate has traditionally refused to choose sides but rather foster dialogue, stability and cooperation.

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