Download or read book Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy written by and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 7 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Sultanate of Oman, a long-time strategic U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf, allowed U.S. access to its military facilities long before the 1990 Persian Gulf crisis. It hosted U.S. forces participating in recent major combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sultan Qaboos has been slowly opening the political process while trying to manage an economy that lacks vast oil reserves. Sections focus on defense and security ties, including cooperation with U.S. war efforts and the war on terrorism, Oman's military capabilities, and U.S. security assistance; democratization and human rights, particularly with regard to women, religion, and the mass media; regional relations; and economic and trade issues. This report will be updated periodically. See also CRS Report RL31533, "The Persian Gulf: Issues for U.S. Policy, 2004."