Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies at 74

The Amiri Diwan of Qatar announced that former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. Sheikh Hamad ruled the country from 1995 until his abdication in June 2013. He rose to power after overthrowing his father in a bloodless coup in 1995. During his reign, he oversaw the development of the Al Jazeera media network and secured the hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His tenure saw Qatar transform into a significant global exporter of liquefied natural gas and a prominent diplomatic actor. In 2013, he voluntarily handed power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to ensure a smooth transition of authority. The country, which has a population of over 2.5 million, remains a key U.S. ally in the Gulf region.