Selecting the most influential people in the Middle East wasn’t easy but to so people from around the world were approached and asked to name five people and explain in a couple of sentences why they chose them. The list isn’t about the rich or powerful but about who has an influence.

Making the list were Queen Rania of Jordan who campaigns for childrens and womens rights around the world, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Dubai ruler, and Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Sheikh Mozah of Qatar wife of the Emir who has been quite active in education and social reforms in Qatar, Sheikh Nahyan bin Ambarak Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (UAE), Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (KSA), Prince Turki Al Faisal (KSA), HH Princess Lalla Salma the Kings wife (Morocco) who is the first wife of any King to be publicly active and given a title by the King, Crown Prince of Bahrain Sheikh Salman bin Hamad, and Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser (Qatar) who was named “Woman CEO of the Year” in 2006 for her significant contribution in developing Qatar’s economic and social presence in the Arab world.

To read about each of the royals above and what they have done and read up on others in the region who made the list, visit this site.

dazzling Bahrain Royals, Gulf State Royals, Jordanian Royals, Moroccan Royals, Saudi Royals, UAE Royals Lalla Salma, Queen Rania, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser

Click the image to see the photo at France-Diplomatie

   After an unexpected visit to Baghdad on 10 February, President Nicholas Sarkozy of France visited the Gulf States of Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait to confer with the rulers of those countries on both military and civilian issues. This visit follows visits by the President in 2008 to  Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, which also led to agreemements, most significantly an agreement for France to set up a military base in the UAE and also a deal for development of nuclear energy.

During the most recent trip, President Sarkozy signed a declaration about nuclear energy and an agreement for a French military base in Bahrain (similar to last year’s agreements with the UAE), and an agreement on health care in Oman.

This series of trips and agreements is likely to make France one of the most significant players, if not the most significant, in the Middle East in the early 21st century.

Esmeralda Bahrain Royals, Gulf State Royals, Kuwaiti Royals, Oman Royals France, President Sarkozy