The passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani marks far more than the death of a former ruler. It signals the end of the generation that created modern Qatar and raises fundamental questions about the direction the emirate will take in the coming decade.

When Sheikh Hamad assumed power in 1995, Qatar was a small Gulf state with limited regional influence despite sitting atop one of the world’s largest reserves of natural gas. During his eighteen years in power, he transformed the country into one of the wealthiest nations on earth, built the global LNG industry, created the Qatar Investment Authority, launched Al Jazeera, established Qatar as an indispensable diplomatic actor and positioned Doha at the centre of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

His vision was remarkable. Rather than competing with larger neighbours militarily, Qatar sought influence through finance, energy, media, diplomacy and strategic relationships. It was an ambitious strategy that elevated a nation of barely three hundred thousand citizens into a country with global political relevance.

Although Sheikh Hamad abdicated in favour of his son Sheikh Tamim in 2013, few observers doubted that he remained an influential figure behind the scenes. His counsel carried immense weight within the ruling family and his stature provided continuity during periods of regional turbulence, including the 2017 Gulf blockade.

With his passing, that stabilising influence disappears. For Sheikh Tamim, the challenge is considerably different from that faced by........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)