The Sultanate of Oman is a long-time U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf; it has allowed U.S. access to its military facilities for virtually every U.S. military operation in and around the Gulf since 1980. Partly in appreciation, the United States signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman on January 19, 2006; implementing legislation was signed on September 26, 2006 (P.L. 109-283). Sultan Qaboos has been opening the political process slowly while managing an economy that lacks vast oil reserves. This report, prepared with the assistance of Kim Klarman, will be updated.