History holds many truths that merit reflection from time to time, as they are shaped by experience and eventually become established principles.
Among these is a reality crucial to understanding the trajectory of events in the Middle East: peace has never been a goal for those who can only survive amid destruction.
While this applies to many war-torn regions worldwide, it is particularly relevant to the Middle East, where decades of turmoil have made it a lived reality. The region’s geopolitical and ideological landscape has given rise to mindsets that reject coexistence, viewing war and conflict as the natural means to maintain power.
This is most evident in the Israeli occupation and its allies in the region, whose only project is domination — working relentlessly to dismantle any source of strength and stability.
Their method is to keep the region in constant turmoil, undermining any attempt at de-escalation and demonising efforts to extinguish the fires they ignite. For them, any voice advocating calm, any party seeking to defuse tensions, or any state striving to uphold its values and sovereignty is an unwelcome obstacle.
Amidst this political and moral collapse, Oman stands out as a model worthy of examination. If history has its truths, Oman has its own experiences, which have shaped the principles of its foreign policy.
Foremost among these is that peace is a strategic choice — one that demands wisdom, patience and the ability to engage with all sides impartially. Oman’s commitment to peace did not emerge from a vacuum but from a long history of conflict, during which it played a crucial role in protecting the Arabian Peninsula — from expelling colonial powers to countering ideological threats that sought to exploit genuine grievances for their own agendas. Through these trials, Oman has come to understand the true nature of war and its devastating impact on civilisations.
Oman’s stance on regional power struggles is clear: it refuses to be drawn into alignments or the funding of wars. Unlike those who pursue short-term political gains at the expense of regional stability, Oman stands firmly by just Arab and humanitarian causes. Its approach is guided by a simple truth — supporting justice is an investment in long-term stability. The unfolding events in the region continue to validate this perspective.
What is happening today is a realisation of the ‘New Middle East’ envisioned in Zionist literature for decades. The conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran are all part of this grand reconfiguration, which has now become undeniable.
Some refuse to acknowledge that a ceasefire is an urgent necessity — not just for Gaza or the Palestinians, but for the entire region. The return of war would only revive the crisis in its full force: Israel would resume its genocidal policies against the Palestinian people, further entrenching its image as a pariah state in global consciousness.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Red Sea and attacks on international shipping routes would escalate. And who benefits from this scenario? No one. Even the major powers that claim to protect free trade understand that fuelling conflict ultimately undermines their long-term economic interests.
For the Palestinian people, the stakes are clear. Having endured every form of oppression, they have nothing left to lose. If Israel reneges on its commitments, as it always does and persists in its policies of killing and displacement, can anyone expect the Palestinians to surrender?
At this stage, they recognise that war is not a choice — it has been forced upon them. Resistance is no longer merely a reaction; it is now a strategic decision for a people left with nothing but defiance.
In this landscape, efforts towards peace must be supported wherever they arise, using whatever avenues are available — whether in direct engagement with Israel or in addressing the broader consequences of this war. This underscores the vital role of diplomacy, a cornerstone of statecraft even in the darkest moments of conflict.
True statesmen understand its value and preserve it, knowing that diplomacy remains indispensable, especially when held by nations with a reputation for neutrality and principled policies.
One such example is Oman’s diplomatic approach in modern times. Through its carefully maintained channels, Oman has played a role in diffusing crises that could have set the region ablaze, facilitating dialogues that have demonstrated a fundamental truth: peace can be achieved, even between sworn enemies, when there is genuine will.
Oman’s voice of reason must be heard, for it is informed by deep awareness of the nature of war and the designs being imposed on the region. The consequences of the Zionist project are clear and those who support it — whether directly or by proxy — are heading towards inevitable ruin.
The Middle East has witnessed countless cycles of bloodshed and each time, the resolution has come not through force but through negotiation. The day will come when all parties realise that shouting does not build nations and conspiracies do not create civilisations. The voice of reason, however faint, will always be louder than the roar of guns.
Oman remains steadfast in its position — not in pursuit of political prestige, for its legacy is etched in the strength of its foundations — but because it recognises a fundamental truth: history does not forgive those who choose war when peace is within reach.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
The original version of the article appeared in Oman Arabic newspaper’s print version on March 9, 2025