[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
New Wikileaks Revelation Exposes Big State Department Lie, This Time in Bahrain Alastair Sloan writes on the State Department’s involvement in the appointment of John Timoney, known for his brutality as a police officer in the United States, as an adviser to the Bahraini police.
Saudi-US Relations: Between Tension and Profit Yazan al-Saadi offers a historical examination of the relations between Riyadh and Washington.
US Navy reiterates commitment to Bahrain, region Habib Toumi reports on the statement of commitment made by the commander of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to Bahrain and the region.
Kuwaitis call for adopting key GCC security pact First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minster, Shaikh Sabah Khalid al-Sabah, emphasizes that a Gulf Cooperation Council security agreement will consolidate inter-Gulf relations and enhance regional security.
Gulf initiative saved Yemen: Al Zayani Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council says that the Gulf Initiative had spared Yemen a potential civil war.
Bahrain`s Gulf Air to resume flights to Tehran next month Flights to Tehran will resume after they were suspended for three years at the height of the anti-government protests in Bahrain.
Opinions and Reports
I went to jail for posting a comedy skit on YouTube. Is this the modern UAE? Shezanne Cassim writes on his imprisonment in Dubai after making a comedy video parodying teenagers in the Gulf state.
By Royal Orders: Saudis Abandon Their Fighters Fouad Ibrahim examines the reasons behind the Saudi authorities’ recent warning to its citizens fighting abroad.
Kuwaiti MP proposes ‘anti-terror’ law A Kuwaiti lawmaker calls for the implementation of an anti-terror law that imposes heavy jail terms and fines.
The Arab world needs bridge building, not terrorist listing Mourad Dhina argues that while the Arab world needs to build bridges, the United States should stop destroying them by designating activists and organizations as terrorists.
Saudi Arabia ‘fourth largest defence spender’ London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies ranks Saudi Arabia at number four in global defense spending in 2013.
At least 15 pilgrims killed in Saudi Arabia hotel fire A news report on a fire in Medina, which left fifteen people dead and around one hundred and thirty people injured.
The truth about the luxury of Qatar Airways A detailed account on the harsh work conditions facing flight attendants working for Qatar Airways.
UAE law requires mothers to breastfeed for first two years Emma Graham-Harrison writes on a new law on breastfeeding and on the social affairs minister’s warning that a husband can sue his wife who does not breastfeed.
Repression in Bahrain
Bahrain toughens penalties for insulting king The Bahraini king signs a decree sentencing any person who insults him publicly to seven years in prison.
Bahrain insists no council is above law The Bahraini justice ministry emphasizes that the Islamic Scholars Council was dissolved because it refused to apply for a license.
Bahrain opposition submits views on National Dialogue A coalition of opposition groups outline their position on resuming the National Dialogue.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen federation deal gives autonomy, not independence, to south Mohammed Mukhashaf reports on the decision to turn Yemen into a federal state consisting of six regions, and to grant the south more autonomy.
Yemen`s dream of a civil society suffocated by religion and tribalism Ghaith Abdul-Ahad argues that the National Dialogue has been dominated by traditional powers in Yemen.
`Karama Has No Walls` doc shows turning point in Yemen`s revolution Sara Ishaq speaks about the documentary she directed, which focuses on how peaceful protesters were fired on in March 2011.
Yemen in transition - and in turmoil Joseph A. Kechichian analyzes the current political situation in Yemen, especially the serious security challenges.
In Yemen, questions and anger over U.S. drone targets after civilian deaths Abigail Hauslohner provides an account of Yemenis’ reaction to civilian deaths caused by US drone strikes.
Bomb kills Yemeni colonel in Sanaa A colonel in the domestic secret service is killed in Sanaa when a bomb inside a taxi exploded.
Yemen bus bomb kills two A news report on an attack on a bus carrying soldiers.
Three killed in suicide attack in Yemen capital Saeed Al Batati reports on a suicide bomber detonating a car laden with explosives at the Ministry of Oil and Minerals in Sanaa.
Shi`ite rebels, tribes agree ceasefire in north Yemen: sources The Houthis and the Hashid tribal confederacy sign a ceasefire following fighting that left about sixty people dead two weeks ago.
Yemen protest seeks end to ‘corrupt’ gas deals with foreign firms A news report on protests in Sanaa against new gas deals with foreign companies, especially the French gas company Total.
12 soldiers killed in clashes with tribesmen The Yemeni army sent reinforcements following the death of soldiers who clashed with tribesmen blocking repairs of a major oil pipeline in Hadramawt.
Human Rights Watch
Kuwait: Room for Free Speech Dwindles The organization calls upon the Kuwaiti authorities to amend national laws that are used to suppress free speech.
Letter to the Yemeni Islah Party Sarah Leah Whitson, director of the Middle East and North Africa Division in the organization, urges the opposition group to end discrimination against women and to grant them equality with men.
Saudi Arabia: Terrorism Law Tramples on Rights Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director in the organization, criticizes the new Saudi counterterrorism law for its violation of the right to fair trial and criminalization of free speech.
Yemen: Start Moving on National Dialogue Proposals The organization asserts that Yemeni lawmakers need to act upon the recommendations made by the National Dialogue, especially recommendations concerning women’s equality, basic human rights, and the investigation of abuses during the 2011 uprising.
Media
In Pictures: Journalists protest Egypt jailing of Jazeera colleagues A photo essay of protests in solidarity with the imprisoned Al Jazeera journalists.
Al-Jazeera reporter - journalism is not terrorism and I`m not a terrorist Roy Greenslade posts a statement made by Sue Turton, a journalist working for Al Jazeera English who was indicted by the Egyptian government on a charge of helping terrorists.
Frontline Club to the fore in campaign to free the Al-Jazeera five London’s Frontline Club calls for the release of the imprisoned Al Jazeera journalists.
Peter Greste and two al-Jazeera colleagues moved to same cell Paul Farrell reports on the relocation of the three imprisoned journalists to a lower security prison area following an international campaign demanding their release.
Saudi Arabia convicts TV presenter for critical show The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the twelve-year jail sentence of Wajdi al-Ghazzawi, who is charged with “harming the nation’s image” on Wajd TV.
Saudi channel hires controversial Egyptian satirist Jumana Al Tamimi reports on Bassem Yousuf’s show airing on MBC-Masr after it was banned from airing on Egyptian channels.
Arabic
البحرين: 7 سنوات سجن لمن يتعرض «للذات» الملكية
The Bahraini king signs a decree sentencing any person who insults him publicly to seven years in jail.
اليمن: اعتماد صيغة من ستة أقاليم للدولة
The National Dialogue committee in charge of debating federalism in Yemen decides that the country will be a federal state, consisting of six areas.
اليمن: اتفاق على وقف المعارك بين الحوثيين وقبائل حاشد
A news report on a ceasefire between the Houthis and the Hashid tribes in Yemen.
اليمن | تحالفات جديدة تمهيداً لـ... التقسيم؟
The new agreement between the Houthis and the Hashid tribes to the exclusion of the powerful al-Ahmar family aims to create new alliances ahead of the division of Yemen into federal regions.
انتصار الحوثيّين كسرٌ لشوكة التوازن
Mona Safwan argues that the victory of the Houthis has disturbed the power balance that has dominated the political scene in Yemen.
مقتل شخصين في هجوم على حافلة تقل جنودا يمنيين
Two people are killed during an attack on a bus carrying Yemeni soldiers in Yemen.
تظاهرة ضد «اتفاق الغاز» في صنعاء والشماليون خرقوا الهدنة
A news report on protests in Sanaa against a new gas agreement with the French gas company Total and on a breach in the ceasefire between the Houthis and tribes in the north.
مسؤول يمني: الدولة ستوقف العبث ولن تسمح بعرقلة مخرجات الحوار
Mohammed Jumaih writes on a comment make by a Yemeni official to Al-Quds Al-Arabi Newspaper, with regard to the government`s intention to deal firmly with any group that aims to undermine the state or the national dialogue.
عشرات الآلاف يستعيدون وهج الثورة في صنعاء ونظام هادي يواجه خطر الانهيار
Khalid al-Hamadi reports on protesters taking to the street in Sanaa last Friday to commemorate the third anniversary of the uprising.
الاعتدال في مملكة التكفير
Fouad Ibrahim examines the concept of moderation in political and religious thought in Saudi Arabia, where the dominant discourse is that of violence.
السعودية بعد مصر: `مكافحة الإرهاب` أم اختراعه؟
An editorial on Saudi Arabia`s new counterterrorism law, which conflates militants fighting abroad with civil groups working within the framework of political Islam.
تركي الفيصل يثني على ليفني... ويتودّد لباراك
Yahya Dabouq criticizes the former head of the Saudi intelligence agency for praising the Israeli minister of justice during the Munich Security Conference.
غزل الأمير تركي الفيصل بابنة - غير المستكفي
Suhail Kiwan provides a harsh criticism of Prince Turki bin Faysal`s praise of the Israeli justice minister.
دراسة: السعودية تتمتع الآن بالعلاقات السرية مع إسرائيل دون أنْ تضطر لدفع الفاتورة للرأي العام العربيّ الذي يرفض التطبيع مع الدولة العبريّة
Zuhair Andrawous writes on Saudi Arabia`s secret relations with Israel and its disregard of the Arab public opinion, which is still against normalization with Israel.
رئيس الشرطة الدينية في السعودية يكشف عن "دعاة فتنة" داخل الجهاز
The head of the religious police in Saudi Arabia says there are "preachers of sedition" inside the police, and promises to rid the system of them.
صفقة أسلحة سرية بين السعودية والمانيا
Alaa Jumaa writes on a secret arms treaty between Saudi Arabia and Germany.
السعودية تدعو للضغط على النظام السوري لإيصال المساعدات للمحاصرين
The Saudi government urges the international community to exert pressure on the Syrian regime to bring aid to besieged civilians.
المالكي: قرارات السعودية في مواجهة `الإرهاب` جيّدة لكنها متأخرة
The Iraqi prime minister asserts that Saudi Arabia`s new measures to fight terrorism are good but came late.
الزعبي: قرار السعودية محاسبة مواطنيها الذين يقاتلون في الخارج لا يحدّ من دعمها المجموعات الإرهابية
The Syrian minister of information asserts that the Saudi government`s decision to hold citizens fighting abroad accountable does not mean that the kingdom will stop supporting terrorist groups in Syria.
القاهرة تغازل الرياض... وتهاجم الدوحة
Cairo attacks Qatar while mending its relations with Riyadh.
وسيط سعودي يدعو الكويتيين والقطريين والسعوديين للمساعدة على أخذ سجن حلب
The intermediary between the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and al-Nusra Front calls upon Kuwaitis, Saudis, and Qataris to help capture the prison of Aleppo.
مصر تستدعي القائم باعمال قطر للمطالبة بتسليم مطلوبين اسلاميين
The Egyptian government summons the Qatari charge d`affaires to demand the Qatari government hand over two Islamists.
شباب قطر ضد التطبيع
Qatar Youth Opposed to Normalization write a letter to executive manager of the tennis league asking him not to invite an Israeli tennis player to play in Doha during the Qatar Open Total.
قطر: لا خلافات مع الإمارات بسبب تصريحات القرضاوي
The Qatari foreign minister asserts that there is no conflict between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over the statements made the Egyptian Islamic theologian, Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi.
مباحثات سعودية مصرية لتدعيم العلاقات
The Saudi crown prince met with the Egyptian prime minister in Riyadh.
رئيس الوزراء المصري يرفض توسيع الخلافات مع قطر
The Egyptian prime minister refuses to deepen the conflict with Qatar during his visit to Saudi Arabia, but emphasizes that Egypt will not be silent over any unfair practices.
البرلمان الكويتي يطلب إجراء تحقيق في صفقة مع ‘ايرباص’ واخرى لانشاء محطة كهربائية
The Kuwaiti parliament orders an investigation into a deal to buy twenty-five Airbus planes and to build a power plant.
أمير الكويت يتبرع بـ5 ملايين دولار لإنشاء قرية للاجئين السوريين في الأردن
Faisal al-Mutni writes on the Kuwaiti emir`s five-million-dollar donation to build a village for Syrian refugees in Jordan.
إيقاف ‘الجزيرة’ ومياه النيل
Abdul al-Wahab al-Afandi analyzes the Egyptian government`s exaggerated fear of Al Jazeera network.
‘الجزيرة’ تفند اتهامات موظفيها الموقوفين في مصر والبيت الأبيض يطالب القاهرة بإطلاق سراحهم
Al Jazeera Networks rejects the charges against its journalists in Egypt.