CHAIRMAN’S SPEAKER SERIES

In a region often characterised by conflict, the Sultanate of Oman has emerged as an unexpected diplomatic force. Muscat’s real strength lies in its role as a facilitator of discreet diplomacy. It has leveraged its neutrality and open channels to both Iran and Western powers to host backchannel talks. One milestone was how Muscat laid the groundwork for the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal by hosting secret US-Iran negotiations.

From prisoner swaps to regional conflicts, Oman’s quiet mediation efforts have proven pivotal. The sultanate’s role, wreathed in discretion, in exchanges between the Houthis in Yemen and their adversaries is also crucial in maintaining the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz — the maritime chokepoint through which much of the world’s oil shipments transit. Pursuing good offices with the Houthis in an ideal situation would help land a settlement to the longstanding Yemeni civil war, stability on Muscat’s western border, and a boost to regional trade. Globally, the skills of Oman’s underrated diplomats have been leveraged to pull the region back from conflict escalation through backchannel negotiations. Washington held indirect talks with Iranian officials in Oman earlier this January, addressing issues ranging from Tehran’s nuclear programme to Iranian-backed militias. As the war in Gaza raged on, the Omani Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, became increasingly vocal against US and its ally Israel, tweeting his regret that “United States should sacrifice the lives of innocent civilians for the cause of Zionism”. More recently in February, the minister stated categorically in a speech at Oxford University that “we need an emergency international conference charged with agreeing arrangements for Palestinian statehood”.

Are we seeing a shift towards assertive diplomacy by Oman? How does Muscat secure buy-ins between Iran and Washington to serve as a reliable intermediary? Beyond regional (in)stability, has Oman’s worldview of superpower rivalry changed? The Middle East Institute will host Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, the Undersecretary for Political Affairs at Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to address these questions in the first instalment of the Chairman’s Speaker Series.

Please note that participation in this talk is by invitation only. If you are keen to attend, please write to meievent@nus.edu.sg by 27 May. As seats are limited, in-person participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis and we will email the registration confirmation prior to the event. This talk will be conducted on Tuesday, 28 May 2024, from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm SGT. The event will be conducted under the Chatham House rules, and recording will not be available.

This event is free; however, registration is compulsory.

Image Credit: The head of state of the Sultanate of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, was bid farewell as he left the country to head to Kuwait on a two-day state visit, during which he will meet with Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oman)