In a commentary published in the Financial Times, Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al Busaidi warned of a worrying shift in global politics characterized by a declining adherence to international law and open contempt for multilateral bodies. He noted that some world leaders are increasingly bypassing professional diplomats, opting instead for unilateral military actions or economic coercion.
This trend has hindered lasting resolutions to conflicts affecting Palestine, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, and Ukraine, which threaten lives and damage the global economy. Sayyid Badr highlighted that bypassing traditional diplomatic channels often leaves leaders relying on outdated imperial methods or destructive economic pressure to force compliance and political change.
In response to these developments, the Foreign Minister urged smaller states to protect their interests by firmly insisting on established legal norms and maintaining faith in diplomatic processes, even during apparent stalemates. He emphasized that the role of a diplomat is to remain engaged at the negotiating table and continuously seek avenues to advance dialogue.
Oman has applied this methodology of "constructive neutrality" to its own foreign policy, particularly in its ongoing efforts to secure an agreement restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Sayyid Badr stated that this complex negotiation, conducted under the threat of conflict, aims to balance international law with national security concerns.
Through its continued diplomatic engagement, Oman aims to achieve three primary goals: protecting its national sovereignty and territorial waters, safeguarding the interests of the international community, and reinforcing the centrality of international law. According to the Foreign Minister, constructive neutrality involves actively preserving and building public international law through concrete actions, helping to establish a stable normative order that shields smaller nations from unilateral actions by larger powers.
