THE OMAN BACKCHANNEL: How Muscat Became the Last Door for Saudi-Houthi De-escalation
THE OMAN BACKCHANNEL: How Muscat Became the Last Door for Saudi-Houthi De-escalation Core thesis: Saudi Arabia tried to retake control of Bab el-Mandeb through military force—and failed. Now Riyadh is knocking on Muscat's door, hoping Oman can open a diplomatic channel with the Houthis. But Sanaa is not accepting a temporary ceasefire. The Houthis demand the lifting of the blockade, a full Saudi withdrawal, and reconstruction funds. Oman is the only door left—but is that door enough to end the war? --- HOOK October 2026. After weeks of intense fighting around Bab el-Mandeb, Saudi-backed forces withdrew. The Houthis claimed victory. And Riyadh—which had previously announced it would "retake" the strategic waterway—has now turned to the negotiating table. But that table is not in Riyadh. Not in Sanaa. Not in Washington. That table is in Muscat. Oman—a small state on the Arabian Peninsula that has long maintained an independent foreign policy—has now become the only channel...