[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Arabian Peninsula and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Arabian Peninsula Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to ap@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
Regional and International Relations
Saudis offer Russia secret oil deal if it drops Syria Ambrose Evans-Pritchard discusses leaked transcripts between Prince Bandar bin Sultan, head of Saudi intelligence, and Vladimir Putin regarding Syria.
Saudi Arabia studies report on Egypt’s financial needs A news report on the Saudi-Egyptian economic and financial ties.
Saudi prince ridicules Qatar as ‘only 300 people and a TV station’ Courtney Trenwith writes on Prince Bandar bin Sultan’s ridicule of Qatar and the Gulf state’s response.
Qatar emir approves border accord with Saudis A news report on the improving relations between the two Gulf states following the approval of border and anti-crime accords between the two countries.
Syria, the Saudi connection: The Prince with close ties to Washington at the heart of the push for war David Usborne examines Prince Bandar bin Sultan’s efforts to garner international support to topple the Syrian president.
Saudi Arabia says it backs U.S. strikes if Syrian people do The Saudi foreign minister calls upon the international community to protect the Syrian people.
US Navy increases carrier presence in Gulf The United States’ increases its military presence in the Gulf region and triggers speculation over a strike on Syria.
France wins Saudi defence deal: Report A news report on a one-billion-euro defense contract between France and Saudi Arabia.
News and Reports
Saudi Arabia cabinet approves domestic abuse ban Sebastian Usher reports on a new set of laws that penalize all forms of physical and sexual abuse in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s domestic violence law is a first step to changing attitudes Nesrine Malik argues that though Saudi women will face difficulties reporting abuse, the new law at least acknowledges that a problem exists.
Activists try to burn down Saudi religious police A news report on the attack on a Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice police station in Riyadh.
United Arab Emirates: UAE 94 trial violates the basic rights to fair trial and due process The Gulf Center for Human Rights raises concerns over the trial and sentencing of the human rights activists known as “UAE 94.”
Article on gays stirs a hornet’s nest in Oman Sunil Vaidya writes on the controversy generated by an article, in a local tabloid, on homosexuality among Omanis.
Repression in Bahrain
Bahraini policemen wounded in car bomb A news report on the injury of four security personnel in a car bomb near Manama.
Crisis in Yemen
Could al-Qaeda have helped Yemen kick its oil habit? Johnny West analyzes Yemen’s economic dependence on oil and its impact on Yemeni politics.
Yemen violence: PM Basindwa unhurt in assassination bid A news report on a failed assassination attempt on the Yemeni prime minister.
Intelligence officer killed in south Yemen Suspected al-Qaeda militants assassinate Colonel Hassan Ali Mansouri in the province of Lahj.
Drone strike in Yemen kills suspected al-Qaeda leader A drone strike in Manasseh village killed an al-Qaeda leader and two other men last Friday.
A List of Children Killed by Drone Strikes In Pakistan and Yemen Chris Miles provides the names of children killed in US drone strikes.
Yemen flash floods destroy camps for displaced people A news report on the destruction of schools, tents and latrines at three camps in Yemen.
Media
Al Jazeera America Lobbying Led by Former Member of Congress Kent Cooper reports on Al Jazeera America’s efforts to have a lobbying presence in Washington.
Four Al-Jazeera journalists arrested in Cairo A news report on the arrest of four journalists who work for Al Jazeera English in Cairo last Tuesday.
Egypt expels Al Jazeera journalists in crackdown on Qatari channel A news report on the expulsion of three journalists detained last Tuesday and the ongoing arrest of the fourth one in addition to one journalist who works for Al Jazeera Arabic.
NSA spied on Al Jazeera: Report The United States’ National Security Agency hacked Al Jazeera’s internal communication back in 2006.
Arabic
اليمن السعيد في مهب التفكك
Jubran Jamal argues that Yemen is on the verge of disintegration.
فزاعة القبيلة والاصلاح في السعودية
Ali Ayidh analyzes the discourse on tribes inside Saudi Arabia and its implication for reform.
فقاعة تفجيرات المنامة التي تعلنها السلطة
Omar al-Durzi examines the Bahraini authorities` exaggerated reports of explosions in Bahrain.
الأمير بندر هدد بالحرب: وها هو أوباما يستعد للتنفيذ
Abdul-Bari Atwan examines the role of Prince Bandar bin Sultan, head of the Saudi intelligence agency, in agitating for a strike on Syria.
محكمة سعودية تقضي بسجن 14 متهما أدينوا بالإنضمام لتنظيم `القاعدة
A news report on a Saudi court sending fourteen men to prison for joining al-Qaeda.
وزراء خارجية دول الخليج يجتمعون في جدة الاحد المقبل
A news report on an upcoming meeting of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss current developments in the region.
التعليم في اليمن: حقل طوارئ غير معلن
Farea al-Muslimi describes the condition of education in Yemen as an unannounced state of emergency.
السعودية تؤكد تنفيذ حملات على الأجانب المخالفين بعد الثالث من تشرين الثاني
The Saudi government asserts its intention to target foreigners who have not sorted out their status in the kingdom after the expiration of the grace period in November.
أعضاء في مؤتمر الحوار الوطني اليمني يعلنون عن `اقليم شرق اليمن
Some members in Yemen`s National Dialogue announce the possibility of a separate "Region of East Yemen."