A country apart
A tiny sultanate that is not afraid to stand alone
THE term khususiyya is often cited by monarchs in the Gulf to justify their ways. They use it to mean the unique character of a culture, and also to dismiss demands for political and social reform. Like the idea of exceptionalism in America, khususiyya has become a cliché in the Middle East. But in Oman, many believe that it helps explain the country’s independent foreign policy.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “A country apart”
From the May 30th 2015 edition
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