Hard times for Oman's Strait smugglers (Al Jazeera)

New taxes and the lifting of sanctions on Iran could contribute to smuggling's decline in the Strait of Hormuz.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/hard-times-oman-strait-smugglers-160926114325822.html

Oman: A Peaceful Oasis in a Flaming Region (Fadi Elhusseini, Ph.D., Iran Reveiw)

In a fractious, unstable region rife with conflicts, one country appears to be unscathed. It is telling that Oman emerged not only intact from the ramifications of the Arab Spring, but also shied away from the tense polarisation that has hijacked the rest of the Middle East. Oman’s position on the various regional issues is self-evidently peaceful and different from the other Gulf monarchies. In fact, behind this peaceful and unique position lies a hive of activity of which many are unaware

http://www.iranreview.org/content/Documents/Oman-A-Peaceful-Oasis-in-a-Flaming-Region.htm

Oman: A Beacon of Tolerance in the MENA Region (Omar Mawji, Geopolitical Monitor)

When Westerners think of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) conflicts they immediately reference the religious conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims. It is true that most of the MENA region is split between Sunni and Shia, but often, these splits are more for the purpose of power than religion. Many Sunni nations share close economic relationships with Shia nations and other religions. Thus, in this case, it could be said that economics trumps religion under religious theocratic MENA governments.

http://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/oman-a-beacon-of-tolerance-in-the-mena-region/

UNGA 2015. Oman. H.E. Mr. Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs

http://gadebate.un.org/70/oman