FROM ENERGY POVERTY TO ENERGY EXTREMISM 55modernization and maintain traditional rule. He was infamous for his
distrust of banks and was widely rumored to use his mattress as the
national treasury. Shakhbut’s commitment to isolation was more than
symbolic. Despite Abu Dhabi’s location on an island, he refused to build
a bridge to the mainland or road connections to neighboring emirates.
Motorists from comparatively modern Dubai had to drive most of the
hundred miles to Abu Dhabi along the beach. They could only ford the
channel to the island at low tide.^12
Shakhbut, too, was overthrown. His downfall came in 1966, at the
hands of his younger brother, Zayed, also with British backing. Like
31,58005001,000
1,500
2,000
1970 2014Schools900679,4690200,000400,000600,000800,000Students921,47305,00010,00015,00020,00025,000Paved Roads (mi)2217050100150200250Doctors (per 100,000 people)267020406080Hospitals49.376.6020406080100Life Expectancy1970 20141970 2014 1970 20141970 20141970 2014FIGURE 4.1 Omani development progress, 1970– 2015.
Source: Times of Oman, November 17, 2015, http: //timesofoman .com
/ a r t i c l e / 7 1 9 3 6 / O m a n / 4 5 t h - N a t i o n a l - D a y : - O m a n - s t r i d e s - f o r w a r d.