Fragmented Regionalism and the Limits of Peaceful Initiatives: Oman’s Intermediary Diplomacy in the Persian Gulf

Decentralized regionalism emphasizes the strategic diplomacy of small states in securing their interests in the surrounding region. The intermediary diplomacy of Oman focuses on preventing conflict spillover in the Persian Gulf region through a variety of approaches, such as refraining from taking sides in conflicts, respecting state sovereignty, and engaging in ongoing negotiation and backchannel discussions. The present study examines the intermediary diplomacy of Oman in the Persian Gulf, a place in which there is a lack of a comprehensive regional security agreement, as well as the role of decentralized regionalism in this context. Oman's strategic objectives and tactics are achieved through promoting good relations with neighboring countries, mediating and facilitating dialogue among conflicting states, establishing trade and transit centers with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and emerging powers, as well as collaborating on defense and intelligence with traditional powers. These interconnected and intricate principles can be better understood through the lens of decentralized regionalism, as conventional methods may not fully capture this evolving dynamic.