السياسة الخارجية العُمانية تجاه أمن منطقة الخليج العربي (1990-2020)

Abstract

The study aims to highlight Omani foreign policy and its most important features. These important features provided the opportunity to build a strong and cohesive economy and pursue a coherent foreign policy that was characterized by independence, pragmatism and impartiality. The objectives of the study are to identify the foreign policy of the Sultanate of Oman towards the Arab Gulf region in general and the security of the region in particular during the period (1990-2020). In terms of methodology and data analysis, the study relied on the qualitative method and the analytical descriptive approach. This serves the objectives of the study, and answers the main research problem of the study, which is to determine the nature of the internal and external variables that affected the orientations of Oman’s foreign affairs towards the Arab Gulf region and its regional security. The study dealt with research and analysis of the most important challenges and internal and external factors that it faced. It dwelt on the role of these challenges in the formation of this policy towards the security of the Gulf region. The Omani foreign policy was realistic in its dealings with the region’s issues and crises, and it was based on the national interest. The most important regional factors and challenges that affected the orientations of Omani foreign policy towards the security of the Gulf region during this period were the security concern, the relationship with Iran, the differences within the GCC system, the lack of a unified vision among the member states, the fear of Saudi hegemony, and finally the impact of the Arab Spring revolutions. The study recommended the need to preserve the constants of the Omani foreign policy that were established by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, which were based on realism, objectivity and impartiality. The GCC should seek to find mechanisms and rules that enhance cooperation and joint action, increasing its ability to limit external interference, and open a strategic dialogue among its members in order to enhance security, peace and stability. This role should be played by the GCC, however the initiative should be spearheaded by the Omani government under its new leadership.