Last year during our MAL (Model Arab League) conference, we had the opportunity to represent a nation with a very interesting position in World and Arab affairs - Oman. Oman, hailed as the "Swiss of the Middle East" is a mediator, a facilitator of peace talks and has opted to stay out of the sectarian conflicts that pit Muslim against Muslim. Oman has opted to not downgrade relations following the execution of Sheikh Nimr-al Nimr, a Shiite cleric who was executed early this month at the hands of the Saudis. Oman in my book deserves merit for trying to play a peaceful player in an ever-so-bloody region. Oman has interest in Iran due to the shared half of the Straight of Hormuz, and the natural gas pipeline in the works - and maybe a realist, understanding that while you may lower diplomatic relations, you won't be able to get rid of your neighbor.
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/01/oman-saudi-arabia-iran-tension-execution-nimr-mediator.html
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