The Sultanate of Oman does not just avoid conflict; it actively manages it.
In an article written by Helmi Hammam in the Arabian Weekly titled 'Oman’s neutral role emerges as crucial stabiliser in Gulf crises,' the author stated that Omani neutrality is no longer simply a political option; it is a genuine stabilising tool, preventing the region from sliding into potentially catastrophic conflicts.
Even following the high-tension strikes between Israel, the US and Iran in February 2026, Oman remained the only state capable of hosting indirect negotiations.
It proved to be the safe zone because while neighbouring airspaces closed, Oman’s diplomatic channels stayed open, facilitating the repatriation of foreign nationals and maintaining an open dialogue to prevent total regional war.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Monday gave an audience at Al Barakah Palace to Dr Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
And then there is economic resilience, as Oman’s internal economy is hitting record milestones.
Oman’s 2026 Economic Freedom score rose to 68.5 on the Heritage Foundation's list, making it the third freest economy in the MENA region. This reflects a massive improvement in investment freedom and government integrity.
However, just as the environment knows no borders, the impact of a conflict has a ripple effect. One of the first disruptions we saw in the regional conflict was in safety, travel, education and work. First, it was about securing a flight ticket, and now it is about the cost of a flight ticket.
We are just in the third month of 2026, and quite a lot has happened. Geopolitics has an impact on the travel industry, and now we are seeing it in the Middle East. Airline tickets are becoming expensive in 2026 due to a convergence of surging jet fuel prices — up significantly due to geopolitical tensions — and strong consumer demand. Major contributing factors include limited aircraft availability due to grounded planes, higher operating costs, and necessary, longer flight paths navigating around conflict zones.
When the supply chain is hindered, the shortage begins to leave a mark of scarcity, as in the case of cooking gas in India.
But most of all, it is humanity that is being challenged.
Every child has the right to health, education and protection, and every society has a stake in expanding children’s opportunities in life, says the United Nations. Yet, around the world, millions of children are denied a fair chance for no reason other than the country, gender, or circumstances into which they are born. And when they are in places of conflict, they are most vulnerable. They are the future generation, but they face many challenges as they enter an era of artificial intelligence and drones.
Silently, there is one more issue that has been brewing, and that is mental health.
Mental health and the Middle East in the areas of conflict have been subjects of study already, and the World Health Organization has said the conflict has created a profound mental health crisis characterised by high rates of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression and anxiety among populations exposed to war, displacement and trauma, with children and women particularly vulnerable. There is an urgent need for mental health support.
Some of the key findings state that there is a high prevalence of disorders: Studies indicate 15-40 per cent of populations in conflict-affected Arab countries suffer from PTSD, with major depression being the most common mood disorder.
According to WHO, children in Gaza have reported high levels of PTSD (54 per cent), depression (41 per cent) and anxiety (34 per cent), driven by violence and displacement.
Chronic conflict leads to cumulative trauma, with 62 per cent of respondents in some studies reporting at least four traumatic events in ten years. The right to peace is part of fundamental human rights because the right to enjoy peace is a fundamental condition for the realisation of all other human rights.
Peace is the core of Omani diplomacy. The foreign policy of the Sultanate of Oman is dedicated to peace and security.
The Foreign Ministry describes: It is based on certain core principles, which are rooted in an understanding of Oman as an active participant in a mutually supportive global community. And most importantly, being a good neighbour.
Lakshmi Kothaneth
The writer is a senior editor of Observer
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