The sultanate under Qaboos became a quiet but deliberate and independent foreign policy actor in the region, often mediating between Western powers and Iran or between Riyadh and Tehran. Qaboos' death probably will not trigger a rapid deterioration of the Omani state, but it will mark the end of an era of careful management and widespread respect of government institutions by its citizens, and of Qaboos' strong institutional stewardship of Omani independence. A potentially more inward-looking Oman in transition has consequences not just for Muscat but for neighboring states as well, especially as Saudi Arabia looks to secure its position in the Gulf and an emergent Iran is keen to develop regional allies. A quiet, stable monarchy, Oman is often overlooked in regional coverage that focuses more on the unrest, militancy and political fragility of the Middle East.