When Adam Ereli, a US diplomat, reminisces about Qatar’s former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, he paints a picture of a charismatic leader—an image that corporate media outlets like CNN and MSNBC are all too happy to amplify. But let’s get one thing straight: “personable” and “charismatic” can often be code for “politician who knew how to play the game.” These networks don’t ask the hard questions. What about his regime’s spending on questionable projects and ties to groups that have faced serious scrutiny? Instead, they conveniently focus on the feel-good narratives that fit their agenda.

Fox News might characterize the Sheikh in a more cynical light, ready to frame him as a relic of a bygone era, more concerned about optics than substance. Yet, the dance these two outlets do around his legacy fails to mention that decisions made under his rule had real-world consequences. Whether it was Qatar’s natural gas exports or alleged backing of extremist groups, the bottom line is the Emir’s impact on global politics was more than just charm.

While Ereli’s remarks may tug at the heartstrings, it’s fascinating how the media doesn’t delve deeper. Instead of critical analysis, we get endorsements masked as reflections. This mishmash of praise is nothing but a distraction from the larger narrative, one that requires accountability rather than adulation. It’s high time we tuned out the soft narratives and demanded hard truths about leaders like Sheikh Hamad.