This research has been carried out having in mind the undeniable role of the Kingdom of Oman, in the past as well as the present, among the countries of the geopolitical Persian Gulf region.

The Kingdom of Oman, known until 1970 as Mascot & Oman, is located to the southwest of the Asian continent, and is a Middle East country in the vicinity of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. It the vastest country to the south of the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea, and, strategically, is of special importance. This country was recognized as such since 1970 and was involved in civil wars (Zaffar war) and was supported by the Shah's regime. The sovereignty of the Oman government over the southern section of the Strait of Honnoz and the closeness of the shipping lines to this region, puts this country in a special position, wInch is, doubtless, important for all the countries of the region and even for foreign countries which are in a way affected by the oil market and the markets of the Persian Gulf Region. This is why the United States has so many military bases and installations in the region and is in fact supervising this waterway.

Besides its special position in the Persian Gulf region, this Islamic country may well be subject of studies because of its historical past and being in the neighborhood of Iran, its geographical closeness to and its common interest with Iran. This country has been subject to many historical incidents and colonial invasion, which have had a bearing on Iran because of being in the neighborhood of Iran. This is why the knowledge of its roots and reasons may help in the adoption of future policies. ConsideriIlg the fact that, as an Arab state, Oman is in many ways siInilar to most Arab countries, a knowledge of its social, economic and political characteristics as well as its sources of power and detennining the roots of its social and political changes can help us in detennining the social and other structures of the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf region. In Chapter 4 of this study, besides investigating the above issues, we have also studied the past and present changes of this country and the goals of colonizing powers.

 Klllgdom, Mascot, country, Persian Gulf, Sultan Ghabous