ABSTRACT
Military affairs provide a valuable case study of the degree to which Oman falls within the rentier state pattern. Qaboos came to power largely because of the inability of his father to deal with the Dhofar rebellion, and he had oil income to finance military development free from internal constraints. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, the sultan was a professional soldier, and thus defense and security were of paramount concern. Qaboos readily admitted that his own military experiences, meaning Sandhurst, service in the British Army on the Rhine, and the Dhofar war, were major influences upon his life. 1 Concern for military and security issues were, and continue to be, very visible in the sultan’s actions. The only western dress that Qaboos is observed in is a military uniform, which increases his image as an active military commander. Furthermore, the Omani press routinely pictures the sultan with military personnel, either observing or participating in most major military exercises, graduations, or competitions: actions that further strengthen his personal connection to the defense and security establishment. Finally, both Omani government personnel and foreign observers note that Qaboos is primarily responsible for the growth and development of the sultanate’s current defense and security structure. Although such statements by Omani officials are not unexpected given that Qaboos is an absolute monarch, their confirmation by non-Omanis serves to reinforce his role in this area.
