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Khalifa bin Mubarak Al Thani: The Qatari Regime Worked on Shattering the Family

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Khalifa bin Mubarak Al Thani: The Qatari Regime Worked on Shattering the Family

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The ruling Al Thani family in Qatar suffers from the risk of fragmentation and division, as many of its members are subjected to harsh practices because of their opposition to the regime’s policies. Many members have decided to emigrate or were forced to leave the country.

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani is among the family members, who left Qatar for rejecting the regime’s policies.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Qatari ruling authorities were monitoring Al Thani’s young generation, fearing their union against the regime.

He also stressed that the Qatari regime’s hostility towards the “Gulf House” has negatively affected members of the ruling family. The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, took a number of measures in an attempt to contain the opposition from within the family.

“They ordered the shooting of Nasser bin Hamad, broke his leg, and poisoned Suhaim bin Hamad. Today, the situation is different, and I hope the young people of Al Thani family make the decision and seek to save Qatar,” Khalifa bin Mubarak said.

He explained that their opposition to the policies of the Qatari regime was not something new, but a reaction to its continued interference in some countries’ internal affairs, its enmity towards Gulf countries and its incessant attempt to distinguish between the Qatari citizens and the peoples of the Gulf.

“How can we support the Qatari regime, which calls for divisions within the Gulf and supports terrorism?” He asked, noting that the ruling authority has welcomed Turkish army on the Qatari territory
to protect the soil of our homeland.”

“We now feel that our territory has become a Turkish colony, and we are carrying out what foreigners dictate to us in order to protect the regime,” he affirmed.

Khalifa bin Mubarak also revealed that the Qatari state budget and its expenses “go to the West in exchange for protecting the regime”, while ignoring the people and the country’s development and stability.

He said that the “heavily armed” Turkish troops were stationed at around 500 meters from the residence of the ruling power. “On the other hand, the Qatari army, which is supposed to protect the state, the regime and the people no longer has any role within the territory,” he noted.

“The Qatari regime does not seek to establish an army of its own people, because it does not trust them… When it felt weak, it sought the help of the West and asked for the assistance of Turks and Iranians,” according to Khalifa bin Mubarak.

Underlining “the Qatari youth’s anger at the regime’s practices at home and abroad,” he stressed the need for a change that would bring about unity and solidarity among the people.

“What is happening in Qatar today is horrifying and threatens the future of the country at all levels, in terms of embracing all terrorist symbols from different places, supporting the subversive groups, in addition to the full submission to Turkey, which is increasing day by day in a humiliating and unacceptable manner,” he warned.

“The cleansing of Qatar, and the end of the boycott will only happen when the structure of the regime is changed,” Khalifa bin Mubarak affirmed.

“It is likely to hear of a coup within the Qatari regime. This was previously done by the former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, when he turned on his father and became the ruler,” he explained.

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Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
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Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar stated that while the serious lifting of US sanctions on Syria could gradually yield positive results for the country’s economy, expectations must remain realistic, as rebuilding trust in the Syrian economy is essential.

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Shaar described the removal of sanctions as a necessary first step toward eliminating the obstacles that have long hindered Syria’s economic recovery. Although the immediate impact will likely be limited, he noted that in the medium term, improvements in trade activity and the resumption of some banking transactions could help create a more favorable environment for investment and production.

The breakthrough came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman successfully facilitated a thaw in relations between Washington and Damascus, ultimately convincing the US president to lift sanctions on Syria. During his historic visit to Saudi Arabia last Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced he would order the removal of all sanctions on Syria to “give it a chance to thrive”—a move seen as a major opportunity for the country to begin a new chapter.

Al-Shaar cautioned, however, that Syrians should not expect an immediate improvement in living standards. “We need to manage the post-sanctions phase with an open and pragmatic economic mindset,” he said, stressing that real progress will only come if sanctions relief is accompanied by meaningful economic reforms, increased transparency, and support for the business climate.

He added that Syrians will begin to feel the difference when the cost of living declines and job opportunities grow—an outcome that requires time, planning, and stability.

According to Al-Shaar, the first tangible benefits of lifting sanctions are likely to be seen in the banking and trade sectors, through facilitated financial transfers, improved access to essential goods, and lower transportation and import costs. “We may also see initial interest from investors who were previously deterred by legal restrictions,” he said. “But it’s important to emphasize that political openness alone isn’t enough—there must also be genuine economic openness from within.”

He also underscored the importance of regional support, saying that any positive role played by neighboring countries in encouraging the US to lift sanctions and normalize ties with Damascus “must be met with appreciation and cooperation.” Al-Shaar emphasized that robust intra-Arab economic relations should form a cornerstone of any reconstruction phase. “We need an economic approach that is open to the Arab world, and we could see strategic partnerships that reignite the national economy—especially through the financing of major infrastructure and development projects.”

When asked whether he expects a surge in Arab and foreign investment following the lifting of sanctions, Al-Shaar responded: “Yes, there is growing interest in investing in Syria, and several companies have already entered the market. But investors first and foremost seek legal certainty and political guarantees.” He explained that investment is not driven solely by the removal of sanctions, but by the presence of an encouraging institutional environment. “If we can enhance transparency, streamline procedures, and ensure stability, we will gradually see greater capital inflows—especially in the service, industrial, and agricultural sectors.”

As for which countries may play a significant role in Syria’s reconstruction, Al-Shaar said: “Countries with long-term interests in regional stability will be at the forefront of the rebuilding process. But we must first rebuild our internal foundations and develop an economic model capable of attracting partners under balanced conditions—ones that protect economic sovereignty and promote inclusive development.”

The minister concluded by stressing that lifting sanctions, while significant, is not the end of the crisis. “Rather, it may mark the beginning of a new phase—one filled with challenges,” he said. “The greatest challenge isn’t securing funding, but managing resources wisely, upholding the principles of productivity, justice, and transparency. We need a proactive—not reactive—economy. We must restore the value of work and implement policies that put people at the center of development. Only then can we say we are beginning to emerge from the bottleneck.”

Last Wednesday, Riyadh hosted a landmark meeting between the Crown Prince, Trump, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—marking the first meeting between a Syrian and a US president since Hafez Al-Assad met Bill Clinton in Geneva in 2000.

Most US sanctions on Syria were imposed after the outbreak of the country’s conflict in 2011. These targeted deposed President Bashar Al-Assad, members of his family, and various political and economic figures. In 2020, additional sanctions came into effect under the Caesar Act, targeting Assad’s inner circle and imposing severe penalties on any entity or company dealing with the Syrian regime. The Act also sanctioned Syria’s construction, oil, and gas sectors and prohibited US funding for reconstruction—while exempting humanitarian organizations operating in the country.