The final chapter summarises this books’ findings. It shows that between 1932 and 1970 the British officials and oil company executives found it very difficult to persuade the sultan to implement a development scheme or alter the nature of his rule. Although the British secured their strategic and economic interests at relatively low cost there were significant limitations imposed on their influence. The defence relationship that was agreed in 1958 was the most important long-term feature of Anglo-Omani relations which led successive governments to provide covert military support. Oman’s insurgencies could not have been fought without British aid, and it was mutually convenient to conceal it.