author - oman observer

The Sultanate of Oman has undertaken admirable strides in institution building, policy modernisation and administrative reform. New laws have been promulgated, oversight bodies empowered and...

When the first Omani traders weighed the Maria Theresa Thaler or dealt in annas and rupees in the markets of Muttrah and Sur, every transaction rested on a single principle: trust. The coin was more...

There are moments in a nation’s journey when a bold leap is not only desirable but necessary. Oman stands today at such a moment—one that invites us to reflect on the past five years, marked by...

The ink on the ceasefire agreement has barely dried. For many, the sounds of artillery have been replaced by an uneasy quiet. But those of us who have walked the thin lines between conflict and...

A breeze rustles through Muttrah Souq. The scent of frankincense and rosewater, pickled with the aroma of herbs and spices, drifts above waves. There is calm. A sense of continuity, of rootedness. But...

I have long been fascinated by how words carry weight beyond their letters — the way “veto” can mean paralysis, “victim” can become identity, “victory” can loom just beyond reach and...

On September 9, a missile slammed into Doha. Israel claimed it was targeting Hamas figures. But the implications go far beyond a single strike. For the first time in decades, a Gulf capital — long...

Among the many rich sessions of the 8th Astana Finance Days 2025 (#AFD2025), none struck a deeper chord than the panel titled “Regulating the Future – How SupTech and AI Are Reshaping Financial...

Good governance is often spoken of in terms of structure — policies, procedures, roles, and reporting lines. However, beneath these formal elements lies a more elusive, often underappreciated force:...

Oman is urbanising at an unprecedented pace. From the expansion of Muscat to the transformation of cities like Suhar, Nizwa, Salalah, Sur and Ibri, urban growth is no longer a demographic by-product...

In lectures on history and culture at the German University of Technology in Oman, I often return to one enduring lesson: societies rise or fall not simply by their wealth or ideology, but by how well...

Oman’s tourism sector stands at a crossroads. As the country seeks to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons, tourism has emerged as a promising pillar of Oman Vision 2040. Yet, the question...

When His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik amended Oman’s Basic Law in 2021, he introduced a fundamental shift in the country’s economic philosophy — the adoption of a social market economy. This...

As the US faces another pivotal moment in its political journey, marked by polarisation and ideological fragmentation, it must confront a fundamental question: what binds a nation together? The return...

After more than a decade of conflict, Syria stands at a crossroads. The scars of war are etched into its cities, its people and its very soul. Amid the devastation, the question of how to rebuild...

Chessboard has long served as a powerful metaphor in major political and foreign policy works to describe the intricate and strategic manoeuvring of states and actors in the international arena.Most...

THE need for a specialised financial centre has never been more apparent as Oman charts its course toward achieving the ambitious goals outlined in Oman Vision 2040 and net zero by 2050. Oman can...

AS the global business landscape shifts towards more sustainable and responsible practices, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have emerged as a critical framework for companies...

THE recent wave of defections among senior North Korean diplomats, as covered by BBC and other international media, signals notable internal shifts within North Korea's political landscape.These...

Israel's trajectory in the international arena is increasingly characterised by a flagrant disregard for the principles of state sovereignty, international law, and human rights, which are the bedrock...