Former Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad, a moderniser who seized power, has died

Qatar's former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who died Sunday at 74, dramatically reshaped the tiny desert state during his 18-year rule. He seized power in 1995 and voluntarily relinquished it to his son in 2013, a move he explained as a desire for a new generation's "innovative ideas and active energies."

Sheikh Hamad was the driving force behind Qatar's development of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, transforming the nation into a major global exporter and securing its vast wealth. He also established the influential media network Al Jazeera, which amplified Qatar's voice in Arab politics and extended its global reach. Under his leadership, Qatar successfully bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, accelerating infrastructure development that modernized the capital, Doha.

His foreign policy established Qatar as a crucial mediator in conflicts across the Middle East, including in Lebanon, Yemen, and Darfur. This diplomatic role, while maintaining ties with the United States and hosting its Central Command, also involved engagement with Iran and its allies. This balancing act laid the groundwork for Qatar's ongoing mediation efforts in the Gaza conflict.

During the 2011 Arab Spring, Qatar played a prominent, albeit controversial, role, supporting revolutionary movements and Islamist groups. While Doha framed this as backing popular demands for change, critics accused Sheikh Hamad of selectively supporting factions aligned with Qatari interests, particularly those linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. This stance deepened regional tensions with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who viewed such movements as a threat to monarchical rule.

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he wanted a new generation “with their innovative ideas and active energies” to take over.