#SultanQaboos of #Oman died. The royal family chose Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al-Said to succeed. Who is he? What does it mean? A thread 1/ 
First, the royal family was quick in agreeing to a successor. This portrays externally a show of unity that is very important in a volatile region and vis-à-vis concerns that neighbors like #SaudiArabia and #UAE would have likes to interfere in the process. #Oman closed ranks. 2/
#SayyidHaitham was among those considered likely successors of #SultanQaboos for years. He has a quiet personality and an immense culture. Oxford-educated, very close to the British royals, he lacks the military background that other major candidates had. This sends a message! 3/
Moreover there were two younger candidates in the mix. Choosing #SayyidHaitham (born 1954) sends a message of continuity not one of youthful change/disruption. On regional and foreign policy it is this very likely that #Oman will behave very similarly #Iran #SaudiArabia 4/
#SayyidHaitham has instead a background as Minister of Culture and Heritage, several positions in the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the course of decades, during which he often chaired cabinet meetings. He knows how to navigate royalpolitik and the Palaces. #Oman 5/
#SayyidHaitham has been also Chairman of the Committee for #Oman Vision 2040. This is crucial because socioeconomic reforms and reforms of political economy are the most important challenges for Oman, struggling with high deficit, international debt, youth unemployment. 6/
Although #SayyidHaitham has at least one famous misstep in his business records, the Blue City Project, this is ancient history. More importantly he has important links with the business families in #Oman and can influence them to get on board the changes needed. 7/
The biggest challenge of all will be to win the hearts and minds of #Oman-is. #SultanQaboos was the closest figure possible to a Father of the Nation. He was seen as the embodiment of the Sultanate national identity. He forged his legitimacy with two seminal conflicts....8/
.... And then with a clever, inclusive political strategy, diffusing symbolic loci of power among all major tribes and families and sociopolitical groups of #Oman. #SultanQaboos was famous for welcoming back rivals. #YousufbinAlawi (the FM) was a rebellion leader in #Dhofar 9/
So nobody could fill #SultanQaboos shoes, he was #Oman's leader for over four decades. Let's wait and see how Omanis welcome their new Sultan 10/
Great to chat with @wapo about #Oman after #SultanQaboos: why I was impressed when I met #SultanHaitham in 2015, how I think the Omani character (ie secretiveness) will define future challenges in geopolitics and at home. tinyurl.com/r4vugs6
