Oman's Challenges After Sultan Qaboos

Oman's geography makes the country difficult to rule. Uniting the distinct population centers created by the country's mixture of mountains and desert has been a costly enterprise. An inability to keep up with global economic changes and centuries of weak internal rule resulted in long periods of strong foreign presence in the country, especially along the coast. Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said has strengthened his country and maintained a balance of internal and external interests while building functional government institutions as well as a cohesive national identity.

Sultan Qaboos' reluctance to name a successor despite his advanced age and health problems could have serious repercussions for Oman's future stability. Oman's strategic location and historically weak government, combined with diminishing profits from hydrocarbons, will recreate conditions for increased regional and international competition for influence in Oman after the sultan's death.