The announced move is thought to be part of a larger reshuffle in the royal cabinet that will bring a new generation of younger leaders to the fore--Sheikh Tamim, at 33, will be the youngest ruler in the region by a good decade and a half (Syria's embattled
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
Leveler of Latakia...
, at 47, is his closest peer). Other projected moves have the indefatigable Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani, 53, who serves as both Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, stepping down in favor of a younger administrator as well, though there is no official succession plan, or names, in place for the Premiership. Tuesday has been declared a national holiday in preparation for the coming announcements.
The Al Thani family has ruled Qatar, a vital U.S. ally that is home to a major American military base, for nearly 150 years. The current king deposed his father in 1995, and is widely celebrated as a competent and progressive--as progressive as possible in an absolute monarchy, at least--leader who has presided over Qatar's growing clout on the world stage. In many ways Crown Prince Tamim, who was declared heir apparent in 2003, leapfrogging his three older brothers, represents a reassuring continuity. For nearly a decade he has been at his father's side, engaging world leaders, representing Qatar at international events and presiding over Qatar's 2030 Vision project, which lays out domestic development goals for the country.