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THE FRANKINCENSE TREE
In 1969, as Oregon O'Connor's Laos assignment ends, the CIA learns of a Russian plot to kill Oman’s tyrannical Sultan and establish a communist People’s Democratic Republic. In return, Russia will get military bases controlling Oman’s Hormuz Straits and the ships carrying 80% of the West’s oil from the Persian Gulf.
When Britain – recently thrown out of Aden, about to withdraw from the Gulf but still commanding Oman’s army – refuses to act, the Americans launch their own bid to replace the Sultan with a president of what they’ll call The Oman Arab Republic. They enlist the help of their growing Gulf ally, Iraq’s Vice President Saddam Hussein.
Meanwhile, Antrobus, MI6’s Middle East Director, wants to keep both Americans and Russians out of Britain’s potential Arabian jewel. With its oil just coming on-stream, Oman will have the billions of dollars necessary to catapult it from reclusive medieval backwater to 20th century prosperity and the society of nations. Unsanctioned by the UK government and unknown to his bosses, the patriotic Antrobus plans to kill the Sultan, replace him with his son, Qaboos, and so maintain and develop Oman as Britain’s captive market.
The Race to Kill the Sultan is on.
However, pursuing his own agenda, America’s new friend, Saddam Hussein, compromises its plans for Oman. Now the CIA agrees to cooperate with Antrobus’ freelance coup, but at a price – their agent, Oregon O’Connor, must lead the palace assault group.
Colonel Serik's Russian Spetsnaz team lands in Aden and sets off for Salalah and the Sultan’s palace. The Russian coup attempt is underway. Against the backdrop of the Dhofar War, Oregon tries to intercept the Spetsnaz before they can reach Salalah and kill Sultan Sayed bin Taimur and his heir Qaboos. Despite ambushes and skirmishes along the historic Frankincense Trail and the wadis, jebals and escarpments of Dhofar, he fails.
A change of UK government and suddenly, Antrobus gains official sanction for his coup d’état.
The scene is set for the final sprint in the Race to Kill the Sultan of Oman.
When Britain – recently thrown out of Aden, about to withdraw from the Gulf but still commanding Oman’s army – refuses to act, the Americans launch their own bid to replace the Sultan with a president of what they’ll call The Oman Arab Republic. They enlist the help of their growing Gulf ally, Iraq’s Vice President Saddam Hussein.
Meanwhile, Antrobus, MI6’s Middle East Director, wants to keep both Americans and Russians out of Britain’s potential Arabian jewel. With its oil just coming on-stream, Oman will have the billions of dollars necessary to catapult it from reclusive medieval backwater to 20th century prosperity and the society of nations. Unsanctioned by the UK government and unknown to his bosses, the patriotic Antrobus plans to kill the Sultan, replace him with his son, Qaboos, and so maintain and develop Oman as Britain’s captive market.
The Race to Kill the Sultan is on.
However, pursuing his own agenda, America’s new friend, Saddam Hussein, compromises its plans for Oman. Now the CIA agrees to cooperate with Antrobus’ freelance coup, but at a price – their agent, Oregon O’Connor, must lead the palace assault group.
Colonel Serik's Russian Spetsnaz team lands in Aden and sets off for Salalah and the Sultan’s palace. The Russian coup attempt is underway. Against the backdrop of the Dhofar War, Oregon tries to intercept the Spetsnaz before they can reach Salalah and kill Sultan Sayed bin Taimur and his heir Qaboos. Despite ambushes and skirmishes along the historic Frankincense Trail and the wadis, jebals and escarpments of Dhofar, he fails.
A change of UK government and suddenly, Antrobus gains official sanction for his coup d’état.
The scene is set for the final sprint in the Race to Kill the Sultan of Oman.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2012
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