Oman's renaissance man faces Iran, succession tensions
The sultanate’s neutrality in the increasingly tense stand-off between Saudi Arabia and Iran complicates relations with its Arab Gulf neighbours
On 23 July 1970, Sultan Qaboos—a graduate of Sandhurst, a British military college—overthrew his father in a bloodless coup. Oman at that time was backward in terms of basic infrastructure, education, social services and other 20th century amenities. The new, young head of state set about modernising the country. Sultan Qaboos has been steering his nation, singlehandedly, throughout the 48 years since then. His influence on the country is so overwhelming (he occupies all the key posts in cabinet) that Omanis can't imagine a future without him. While lengthy spells of medical treatment abroad appear to have been successful, a day will inevitably come when the country has to contemplate a new
Also in this section
24 March 2026
It is an unusual story of out with the new and in with the old, as America First Refining shows the US going back to trusted energy security developments
23 March 2026
A complex and sometimes contradictory web of factors that include unpredictable oil prices, the globalisation of LNG markets, the expansion of Middle Eastern sovereign capital and the growth of datacentre demand will shape the energy landscape beyond 2026
23 March 2026
The Strait of Hormuz crisis highlights how key waterways can become global chokepoints
20 March 2026
Attacks on key oil and LNG assets across the Gulf mean a prolonged supply disruption, with damage to Qatar’s export capacity undermining confidence in the global gas system
