Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, 1980–, emir of Qatar (2013–). The fourth son of Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, he became heir apparent when his older brother Jasmin renounced his claim to the throne in 2003. Tamim joined the Qatari armed forces after graduating (1998) from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Englandn, and rose to become deputy commander in chief in 2009. A member of the International Olympic Committee from 2002, he has been influential in winning the rights for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup and other sporting events. He succeeded to the throne after his father abdicated, but the former emir remained influential.
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