Historical clue formulations

• Mideast potentate: Var. — 2013-04-01
• Qatari bigwig: Var. — 2012-12-16
• Mideast leader: Var. — 2010-10-13
• Mideast chief: Var. — 2008-09-29
• Mideast pooh-bah — 2008-04-22
• Robed ruler: Var. — 2008-02-23
• Mideast potentate — 2005-10-16
• 96-Down in 28-Across — 2003-10-12
• Arabian bigwig: Var. — 2003-05-04
• Eastern chieftain: Var. — 2003-01-05
• Qatar bigwig: Var. — 2002-04-24
• Arab leader — 2002-04-14
• Bahraini bigwig: Var. — 1999-03-20
• Muslim bigwig — 1996-04-14
• "Abdulla Bulbul____" (old song) — 1996-01-11
• Near Eastern chieftain — 1994-04-11
• Eastern V.I.P. — 1994-03-21