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Not sure that this change will necessarily affect Oman's diplomacy or regional balancing, as Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi will continue the careful Omani approach of crafting a foreign policy that maintains relationships with all and preserves Oman's independence of action. https://twitter.com/Cinzia_Bianco/status/1295701257739481088
In 2003, Badr bin Hamad delivered an interesting lecture in Brussels, entitled 'Small States’ Diplomacy in the Age of Globalization: An Omani Perspective,' later published in 2005 in Gerd Nonneman (ed.), Analyzing Middle East Foreign Policies and the Relationship with Europe.
Badr's lecture outlined the 'Omani way' of diplomacy and bears re-reading.
'there are a number of ways in which small states can make decisive contributions to international relations and in which we can exercise considerable freedom of action: that is to say – independence’
'there are a number of ways in which small states can make decisive contributions to international relations and in which we can exercise considerable freedom of action: that is to say – independence’
'To put this abstract into concrete terms: the presence of American power in the Gulf region does not force Oman to follow the American line and adopt a hostile stance towards Iran.'
'But it does mean that we have to conduct our relations with Iran in a context framed (to some extent) by American hostility to Iran, and by Iran’s complex responses to that hostility.’
‘We make our own choices: in this case we continue to develop and enhance our relations with Iran, at least in part in order that we might exercise some reverse influence as regard the US, and encourage some moderation of the underlying hostility and suspicion.’
'This example is perhaps typical of a particular feature of Omani foreign policy, in which we try to make use of our intermediate position between larger powers to reduce the potential for conflict in our immediate neighbourhood.’
‘We genuinely have the potential to be ‘neither Washington nor Teheran’ – to adapt an old formula (...) we can create space for our own actions (...) it is precisely in that space that we – that is to say, small states – may be able to act in ways that others cannot.’
'In the space between the big states, the major powers, both regional and global, we have room for manoeuvre that the big states themselves do not enjoy.’
'We can operate without attracting too much attention, conduct diplomacy discreetly and quietly. Here the example of Norway comes to mind.'
'Underlying Omani foreign policy for over 3 decades now has been the principle that we should always seek to maintain and enhance relations with immediate neighbours.’
'This is, of course, a principle enhanced by a fair degree of pragmatism: it would be foolish recklessly to antagonise your neighbours under any circumstances and certainly when they are bigger and more powerful than you.’
'It is a matter of principal for us that our neighbors, because they are our neighbors, deserve our particular respect and consideration, & that such respect and consideration contributes to the development of a harmonious regional environment which is of benefit to all parties.’
'In a world of complex interdependency, the more the system is governed by rules rather than by force the better it will be – for us and for everyone.’
'For small states, then, the strengthening of the rule of law in the space of international relations is intimately connected to the practice of multilateralism, so much so that I think it is helpful to think of the two ideas side by side.'
'we see major advantages to be gained from the extension of rule-based systems and general international respect for such systems, but we also recognise an important task ahead in making sure that we establish rules that do not simply legitimise the interests of the powerful.'
