Oman’s Niche Diplomacy: Middle Power Strategies in a Shifting Middle East

Despite being located in one of the world’s most unstable regions—characterized by persistent tensions, turmoil, and conflict—the Sultanate of Oman has successfully maintained a policy of neutrality and adeptly assumed the complex role of mediator, both within the Arabian Peninsula and more broadly across the Middle East. This study examines Oman’s mediation efforts in the Middle East during the 21st century through the lens of niche diplomacy, providing a fresh and timely perspective. Middle-power diplomacy is typically associated with foreign policy activism, particularly in a constrained international environment. Given their limited resources, middle powers often adopt niche diplomacy by concentrating on specific issue areas. The key contribution of this study lies in its novel application of niche diplomacy theory to examine and interpret Oman’s mediation strategy.