Creation of local military structures as a mechanism in the British control of the Gulf States in the 1960s.

Abstract

The complicated relations between the Arabian Peninsula sheikdoms and the United Kingdom are the one of most illustrious examples of non-obvious political manipulation in the Middle East. The UK government used the implications of local antagonisms, including the ambivalent ambitions of the local rulers and armed forces (Trucial Oman Scouts [TOS] unit – established in 1951 as Trucial Oman Levies [TOL) as a skilful way of controlling the Trucial Oman and the Sultanate of Oman and Muscat in the 1960's. The TOS had an impeccable record over the course of its twenty-year existence under the UK control: it defended the emirates against hostile forces, settled tribal and territorial disputes, policed the land, served as a stabilizing influence, and provided an honourable career and valuable training for thousands of Emiratis. Britain had treaty obligations to provide for the defence and control of the area, and the TOS performed that role. It had locally enlisted soldiers with British officers, and was officially part of the British Army. It survived until 1971, when it became part of the Union Defence Force, the newly formed army of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).