"The Emir of Qatar’s decision to abdicate voluntarily in favour of his 33-year-old son may well be a first in Arab dynastic politics. Although unlikely to presage a bicycling monarchy for the fabulously gas-rich Gulf emirate, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s infusion of new blood contrasts with the hardened arteries next door in Saudi Arabia – not to mention the republican dynasties that went down like skittles in the Arab spring.
He seems to have prepared the ground carefully. The new emir – Sandhurst-educated Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Khalifa – has had a solid 10-year apprenticeship, grounded in the army and security services, the institutional teat of Arab rulers."
'via Blog this'
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