Qatar’s former ruler who abdicated after turning tiny Arab nation into global powerhouse dies at 74
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former ruler of Qatar who transformed the nation into a global powerhouse, has died at age 74. His 18-year reign was marked by significant economic growth, the establishment of Al Jazeera, and his unprecedented voluntary abdication in 2013.
Why it matters
His leadership fundamentally altered Qatar's geopolitical influence and economic trajectory, making it a central player in international diplomacy and media.
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani mastermind the Persian Gulf state’s transformation from a quiet backwater into an influential international crossroads in less than a generation
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