History

Archaeological excavations have recently shown that much of the civilisation in Oman predates the Arab period. The region embraced Islam early, during the lifetime of the Prophet. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Sultans of Muscat were often powerful figures in Arabia and East Africa, often coming into conflict with the colonial powers in the region, particularly the Portuguese, who first settled in the sixteenth century, in an attempt to protect their eastern trade routes. Close ties have been maintained with Britain since 1798, when a treaty of friendship was concluded. The country was known as Muscat and Oman until 1970.

British influence remains strong in the region but the number of British advisers occupying key positions in Omani Government Department, substantial during the early days of the present regime, has steadily dropped and is now limited to a handful of advisers in key posts. During the early years of his reign, which began in 1970, the hereditary leader Sultan Qaboos’ overriding priority was to deal with an insurgency in the western part of his kingdom, conducted by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO) with the backing of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen; since unified with North Yemen).

The defeat of the rebels increased both domestic and foreign pressure on Qaboos to introduce democratic reforms. A series of gradual measures have been introduced to modernise and liberalise what was previously an autocratic regime. Two Consultative Assemblies, the Majlis as-Shura (which evolved from the old Consultative Assembly) and the more recently formed Majlis al-Dawlah, were originally groomed to take on the functions of a Bicameral Parliament at the turn of the millennium. This has not happened, nor is it likely to do so in the foreseeable future. The two Majlis have some influence over domestic matters, and the franchise that elects them has been steadily expanded to include all men and women over the age of 21, but no say in foreign policy or matters of defence. The most recent poll for the Majlis as-Shura in November 2003 found little change in its population: no formal political parties are allowed but most support the Sultan.

Relations with Oman’s close neighbours have been friendly, especially with Yemen, since the end of the PFLO insurgency and the unification of Yemen itself. Recently, Omani concerns have been focused further afield. In 1981, Oman was involved in founding the Gulf Co-operation Council and has been instrumental in promoting its increased involvement in regional security matters. The country’s strategic importance to the West has been highlighted during the last two decades, functioning as a staging post for Anglo-American military, naval and air operations during the Iran-Iraq War, the counter-invasion of Kuwait and, more recently, the invasions of both Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 1994, Oman was the first Gulf state to establish official relations with Israel. Since 1998, it has also developed a good relationship with Iran, now extending as far as mutual security co-operation in the Gulf.

Aside from limited protests in January 2011, small-scale in comparison to neighbouring Middle Eastern countries, Oman weathered the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ quietly. Government efforts largely placated protesters, and Oman has not seen significant demonstrations since May 2011.