Search results

Bahraini national security advisor gave fulsome backing to the four-year-old Abraham Accords, saying “We would encourage others to join”, while speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in the United States.

Air Vice Marshal Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was appointed deputy chief of staff of the Kuwait Army, via an emiri order.

Five members of the public and a policeman were killed when three Omani brothers fired on worshippers in the Ali Bin Abi Talib mosque in Muscat in mid-July; the attack was later claimed by Islamic State.

Role: Former heir apparent Born in 1972, Sheikh Mishaal Bin Hamad Al-Thani is the low-profile eldest half-brother of Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Role: Equestrian interests Born in 1977, Sheikh Jassim Bin Khalifa Al-Thani is the youngest half-brother of Father Emir Shiekh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. He went into exile with his father, deposed Emir Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani, in 1995.

Qatar’s ambassador to the United Nations Sheikha Alia Bint Ahmed Al-Thani has called on more women from the Middle East to pursue diplomatic careers, saying “we need to show our example when it comes to gender parity and empowerment of women.”

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed has become only the second defence minister in the history of the country, taking over from his father, Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid who had held the post since the UAE was founded in 1971. It comes as part of a wider federal government reshuffle which included some significant changes for the education sector.

Umm Al-Quwain ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al-Mualla has merged the emirate’s Municipality and Urban Planning departments, with Municipality chief Sheikh Ali Bin Saud placed in charge of the new body.

Role: Ambassador to the United States Career diplomat Sheikh Mishaal Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al-Thani has been ambassador to the United States since December 2016. He is a member of a distant branch of the family from Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani; former foreign minister and premier Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani is from the same branch.

Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad has a tight grip on power in Qatar, having strengthened his position during the 2017-21 regional boycott and with the success of the 2022 World Cup. While some of his siblings are prominent in the arts and sports arenas, few have made an impression on the political scene where Tamim has tended to emphasise technocratic ability over family ties – a trend highlighted in GSN’s new series of profiles of key decision-makers in Qatar.

In an unusual move for a Gulf country, Saudi Arabia has increased the retirement age by up to five years, with most Saudis now set to work until they are 65 before they receive a full pension.

Sheikh Fahd is the second-eldest son of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani with his wife Sheikha Mariam Bint Mohammed Al-Thani.

Role: Minister of state for interior affairs Sheikh Abdelaziz was appointed deputy commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) in 2017. In an early-2020 reshuffle, he was promoted to Lekhwiya commander and Ministry of Interior undersecretary.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, established by King Abdelaziz (Ibn Saud) in 1932. After the founder died 20 years later, his son Saud took charge and since then power has been passed from brother to brother.

Role: Ambassador to the UK Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed was named as Qatar’s ambassador to the United Kingdom on 12 June 2024. It is his second major diplomatic post, having been ambassador to Germany from August 2020, following a long career in business, finance, politics and the military.