Sultan Kavos died at a time when his diplomatic skills and personal connections could play a role in preventing escalation • Hopefully Oman will preserve his mediating legacy • Commentary

The death of the Oman ruler, Sultan Kavos, over the weekend occurred in the worst of times for the Middle East. Kavos, 79, at his death, was the oldest ruler in the Arab world: he came to power in a courtyard, which he organized against his father, in 1970. Since then, for half a century, he has played a moderating role in the Middle East rife with wars, conflicts, conflicts and tensions.

Oman ruler passed away // Photo: Reuters

Oman's geographical location, at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, in close proximity to Yemen, Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf to Iran, gives this country great strategic importance, and many factors have stared greedily at it. The composition of its population - about a third of its inhabitants are foreign and quite a few of its Shi'ite citizens - adds to the potential explosion of the sultans.

For five decades, Cabos was able to survive in the turbulent waters of our region, by tapping a complex but balanced network of rival elements in the Middle East and maintaining a tradition of moderate Islam in line with the tradition of the Ibadian regime that governs Oman.

Cabos' Oman was one of the first Arab states to establish ties with Israel, back in the 1970s. Twenty years later, after the signing of the Oslo Accords, a formal Israeli diplomatic mission was opened in its capital, which closed with the outbreak of the second intifada. In October 2018, Kabos, whose health was already shaky, hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an official visit to his palace as a sign of the beginning of a new era in relations between the Arab Gulf states and Israel. Kavos took on this meeting a very big risk, as it was held in the shadow of the growing conflict between the United States and Iran.

Cabos is considered to be one of the Sunni Arab leaders, who have been able to develop a good relationship with the Ethiopian regime in Tehran. He hosted in his capital the secret negotiations between the Iranians and Obama administration representatives that paved the way for the nuclear agreement. But, as the dance artist among the drops, Cabos realized that in the Trump era, it is better to go back and bet on the Israeli card - while keeping open media channels to Iran.

Cabos's death comes at a critical time in the Middle East, and at a time when his diplomatic skills and political and personal ties could play a role in preventing escalation, and even war. What's more: Cabos left no children behind, and this could result in inheritance battles - which might be avoided with the appointment of his cousin - Hytham Inter-Tarik, who previously held senior positions in the Omani Foreign Ministry and served as Cabos' personal envoy.

New Sultan Oman, Hytham Inter-Tarik // Photo: IP

Oman, who was one of the most stable countries in the Middle East, may in some circumstances become a new center of tension, with many parties trying to stir her internal affairs. Neighboring Yemen is torn by a terrible civil war. Neighboring Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic internal turmoil under the auspices of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. Salafist elements have expanded their influence over the Sunnis over the past decade. Iran is rebelling against the Shiite minorities in the Arabian Peninsula. And above all, there is a danger of regional war with Iran.

With the death of Cabos, the Middle East of old also died. A talented heir can help advance the Arabian Peninsula and accelerate normalization with Israel. But if Oman fails to maintain Cabos' legacy, it could also halt positive developments in the region and intensify conflicts. The new Sultan has pledged to continue Cabos' policies, hopefully he will succeed.