Oman's foreign policy

"An expert in the history of Oman, Majid Al-Khalili provides new information and a fresh analysis of the lands bordering the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. This is the first book in more than a decade to look systematically at the foundations and practices of Oman's foreign policy and its impact on the production and distribution of oil." "Oman has been a U.S. ally for many years. During the past few years, the United States has been pressuring the sultanate to purchase U.S. weapons and join in the struggle against Iraq and Iran. Oman has begun resisting U.S. influence and looking to partner with the other states of the Persian Gulf." "Al-Khalili analyzes the foreign policy of the Sultanate of Oman from the early 20th century until the beginning of the 21st century, providing the background to recent events, beginning with an examination of the sultanate's geography and how location has influenced its history. He also scrutinizes the reign of Sultan Said, perhaps the central figure in the creation of modern Oman." "Following an analysis of the sultanate's "renaissance," that period of extremely rapid modernization financed by oil revenue in the 1970s and 1980s, a period of relative stability in the Persian Gulf, the author considers how Oman's foreign policy changed in the 1990s in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War. With the rise of terrorism and the 2003 Iraq War, Oman has had to confront many turning points and its future importance in the region cannot be underestimated." "Broadening the discussion to the region's international relations, Al-Khalili also examines the historic power rivalries, especially the competition between the United States and Great Britain, as well as the modern conflicts that now include Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia." "The result is a comprehensive understanding of Oman's place in the Middle East - and its influence upon the world's changing power structure."--Jacket.