A. sent me this: "It looks like the Saudi media machine and its network of supporters may be repositioning its guns towards Oman for its refusal to support the GCC union. The argument that is being pushed is that Oman, like Bahrain, is a state in which a majority sect (Sunnis) is ruled and oppressed by a minority sect (Ibadhis) and that Bahrain should not be singled out for apartheid when Oman practices it too. I've increasingly been seeing this on twitter and on internet forums. The fact is that no one knows the sectarian makeup of Oman. If the balance has changed in favour of Sunnis it is likely to be due to the government's naturalisation of Sunnis, and few in Oman notice this or care about it. A few days ago the US based pan Arab (and sectarian) online publication Al Watan published this piece () by a Saudi from a self styled Saudi liberal website, in which he argues that Sunnis are oppressed in Oman, and fear of Sunnis is the likely cause of its rejection of the union.
Two days ago, Qatari diplomat and conspiracy theorist Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa said on twitter [above] that the GCC had no need for Oman, congratulating it for its "love for Iran" and wishing good luck to "all neo-Safavids". See attachment.
A number of Omanis were undecided on the union. I would imagine that the backlash would lead many to firmly oppose it. You'll also notice that most Western commentators who have been writing and talking about the union have absolutely no idea what Oman's position is. I've been surprised at the number of experts that say that Oman would welcome such a move, when it's the only member state to have so clearly stated its objections to it."
