Matt Bevan

ahead of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

This is CENTCOM, the US military's central command, airlifted from Florida, air-conditioned against the blinding desert heat.

As a result, Qatar became the epicentre of the US military's operations in the Middle East.

Luring the Americans gave his tiny country a powerful protector against at times aggressive neighbours.

But it wasn't just about demonstrating military strength and bringing in guys with big guns.

Hamad wanted to show that Qatar was allied to the West in ideological ways as well.

So he started democratic reforms, then spent millions setting up Al Jazeera.

By advocating for a freer press in a region where that's not really a thing, Al Jazeera became both a thorn in the side of authoritarian regimes and the most important platform for those regimes to communicate with the wider world.

Just about every government in the region has, for a time, closed Al Jazeera's bureau.

Some have withdrawn ambassadors from Qatar in protest.

But today, even the toughest Arab leaders have to deal with Al Jazeera because it speaks to the people.

So Qatar has become the region's US military base and centre of information.

But for Hamad, that wasn't enough.

fly to over 80 destinations, onboard one of the world's youngest fleets.

Qatar Airways, world's five-star airline.

He dumped investment into Qatar Airways, hoping to turn the Qatari capital Doha into a global business travel hub.

Halfway to anywhere, with plenty of time to spare.

The Qatar Airways Premium Terminal in Doha.

Five-star service for first and business class passengers.

And he spent money trying to get people to actually leave the airport and see the country instead of just flying through.