Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy

Kenneth Katzman 
Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs

The Sultanate of Oman is a long-time U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf; it has allowed U.S. access to its military facilities for virtually every U.S. military operation in and around the Gulf since 1980, despite the sensitivities in Oman and throughout the Middle East about a U.S. military presence there. Oman also has fully and consistently supported U.S. efforts to achieve a Middle East peace by publicly endorsing the peace treaties that have been achieved between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors and by occasionally hosting Israeli political leaders or meeting with them outside Oman. 

Partly in appreciation for this alliance, the United States has forged a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman. Oman is attempting to diversify its economy, in part because it has relatively small oil reserves. In addition, the United States has praised Sultan Qaboos for opening up the political process, even though that process has been controlled by Oman's leadership and has unfolded too slowly for some Omanis. The political liberalization that has occurred since the 1980s has given citizens the opportunity to express their views on issues but has not significantly limited Qaboos' role as major decision maker. 

Nor have successive U.S. Administrations criticized Oman's relatively close relations with Iran. Oman has always been less alarmed by the perceived threat from Iran than have the other Gulf states, and it views possible U.S. military action against Iran's nuclear facilities as potentially more destabilizing to the region than is Iran's nuclear program or Iran's foreign policy. Still, this relationship has not affected close U.S.-Omani relations.


Date of Report: January 20, 2010
Number of Pages: 14
Order Number: RS21534
Price: $29.95

This CRS report can be ordered over the phone at (301) 253-0881 or by email at Penny Hill Press (congress@pennyhill.com). Be sure to include the document number for the fastest possible service. Please specify whether you want electronic delivery (pdf file or postal delivery).