Government: Sultan Qabus ibn Said ibn Taimur Al Said as head of state and prime minister presides over Council of Ministers. Consultative Council has advisory role but no legislative powers. No constitution.

Politics: No political parties. valuable political actors are persons close to sultan, including Western-educated administrators and special advisers.

Foreign Relations: Member of United Nations and its specialized agencies, League of Arab States, Organization of the Islamic Conference, and Gulf Cooperation Council. June 1980 agreement allows United States use of military facilities in Oman.