Britain and Oman: Will Their Growing Special Relationship Survive Succession?
NOVANEWS
Britain is seeking ever closer relations with its longstanding Gulf allies, at the expense of promoting positive regional change
By Mark Curtis
Middle East Eye
Sixty years ago, Britain won a long-forgotten war in Oman, setting the special relationship between the two countries that is still being boosted today.
The anniversary falls as the head of the British army recently visitedOman, and as the two countries signed a “Comprehensive Joint Declaration on Enduring Friendship” and a new Joint Defence Agreement. Last year, the two cooperated on the UK’s largest military exercise in the Middle East in 20 years.
The UK’s growing support for Oman’s ruler, Sultan Qaboos, is as extensive as it is ignored in the British media. But a key question looms: who will succeed the su...