“Soft Power” in Sultanate of Oman’s foreign policy

Abstract

The article considers the foreign policy of Oman and its instruments of “soft power”, which that country is using for successful realization of its national goals in the international relations. The author is analyzing special characteristics of Oman’s foreign policy, paying attention to the fact that the country in its foreign activity primary bases on “soft power” avoiding as possible the use of “hard power”. The history of the country was the cause such a choice and determined peaceful character of its foreign policy. The state is trying to conserve the friendly relations with its traditional foreign partners, refusing to participate in military operations against them or economic or diplomatic pressure on them. The author gives a lot of cases, which confirming that special feature of the foreign policy of the Sultanate.
The author is also considers so widely used resource of “soft power” of Oman as mediation. By mediating in resolving disputes or in helping to organize the negotiations between conflicting sides the Sultanate is trying to achieve regional stability.