Representations of Oman’s (Non)Alignment Strategies and National Identity

Oman is often presented as having an inherently peaceful identity that would translate into a foreign policy based on nonalignment and facilitation of dialogue. This understanding suggests that Oman's diplomatic actions are not just reactions to external pressures but are deeply rooted in a historical and cultural ethos that values peace and cooperation. However, the concept of identity and its impact in shaping a country’s foreign policy is not a neutral exercise and brings with itself a set of assumptions that most often than not are at least stereotypical if not dangerous, as the very notion of identity means different things based on who is speaking and when. This chapter looks at how Sultan Qaboos’ government conceptualised Oman’s foreign policy principles and at how the governmental narrative has been embraced or rejected by scholarly works that look at Oman’s identity and its link to foreign policy. In this way, this chapter reveals the existence of competing discourses whose origin and aims need to be more deeply investigated.