ABSTRACT
In 1970, Oman became the last Arab country to begin the attempt to break free from the fetters of traditional society and isolation and to adopt socio-economic development as a major policy goal. Wrapping itself around the eastern corner of Arabia, Oman's seacoast extends from the entrance to the Arabian Gulf in the north to a point halfway along the Arabian Peninsula's southern coast which borders the Arabian Sea. The foundations of the Omani state date back to the eastward migration of various Arabian tribal groups into the area several millenia ago. Muslims and non-Muslims, assumed a defensive posture which combined with Oman's geography to influence the isolationist tendency of Omani politics and history. Although the post-1970 economic boom dramatically changed the face of Oman, the political nature of Qabus's reign was thoroughly grounded in several fundamental themes which have dominated Omani politics throughout the twentieth century and even before.
