الملخص الإنجليزي
Since the outbreak of the political uprisings known as the 'Arab Spring' in 2010, the Middle East has been experiencing a rougher phase of instability. This is seen in the numerous conflicts dotting the region and the instability of countries like Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen. Located at the eastern edge of the Middle East on the Arabian Peninsula, sharing borders with Iran, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the Sultanate of Oman has so far managed to navigate itself away from regional threats and conflicts due to its pragmatic and neutral foreign policy. This thesis analyzes Oman's neutral foreign policy and explores the challenges it faces to maintain neutral. The Study provides historical and theoretical background of the concept of neutrality in International Relations and examines two prominent cases of permanent neutrality – Switzerland and Austria.
The study further examines factors that prompted Oman's neutrality such as its historical background, geographical location, limitations in military and economy capabilities and capacities, its religious and cultural tolerance and the personal attributes of H.M. Sultan Qaboos. The thesis carefully examines some internal and external challenges to Oman's neutral foreign policy and analyses certain incidents where Oman's neutral foreign policy has been implemented. Oman's modest economy along with its high population growth rates have an impact on its foreign policy options. The uncertain post-Qaboos era with the complexity
of the succession process combined with the absence of a designated heir to the sultan raises many questions regarding Oman's stability and therefore may pose a serious challenge to Oman's foreign policy. External challenges that this thesis examined are the Saudi-Iranian intractable conflict, the American policy in the Middle East, the war in Yemen and finally
the recent crisis in the GCC. At the end, this thesis provides recommendations in which Oman can continue pragmatically working on to maintain its neutral foreign policy.
