[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
`Thank God for the Saudis`: ISIS, Iraq, and the Lessons of Blowback Steve Clemons analyzes Prince Bandar’s support of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and Senator John McCain’s praise of the Saudi prince.
Iraq and the `Saudi question` Imran Khan examines the influence the Saudi regime holds over developments in Iraq.
Saudi king tells Kerry he will press Sunnis to join Iraq government Lesley Wroughton reports on a meeting between the US secretary of state and the Saudi king to discuss the situation in Iraq.
Saudi King Promises Help in Delicate Effort to Unite Factions in Iraq Michael Gordon examines the Saudi king’s assurance to US officials that he will use his influence with Iraqi Sunni leaders to join the new government.
The Gulf and Iraq Mohamed Said Idris offers an account of the role the Gulf states are playing in the Iraqi crisis.
Iran, Qatar to cooperate against ‘terror’ Qatari and Iranian leaders announce that their countries will cooperate to fight “terrorism in the region.”
Britain bans Saudi cleric who supports jihad in Syria Britain bans Mohammed al-Arif from entering the United Kingdom.
Kuwait sending aid to displaced Iraqis Kuwait to send urgent humanitarian aid to Iraqis who have been displaced during the recent developments in Iraq.
Reports and Opinions
Saudi king sacks deputy defence minister The Saudi king relieves Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz from his position as deputy defense minister upon a recommendation from the crown prince.
Saudi internal politics blamed for sacking of minister Jumana al-Tamimi analyzes the royal move to relieve Prince Khalid from his position, the fourth deputy defense minister to be sacked in eighteen months.
Riyadh accused of tapping dissidents` phones Human Rights Watch accuses the Saudi regime of monitoring activists’ mobile phones with surveillance malware.
Saudi king orders steps against `terrorist threats` The Saudi king orders all necessary measures to protect the kingdom against any “terrorist threats” in a security meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation in Iraq.
Riyadh pledges to confront misuse of religion The Saudi king warns against the “bogus calls” not related to Islam in his address to Saudi people and Muslims on the eve of Ramadan.
Saudi remains committed to supplying market with extra oil if needed: official Saudi Arabia asserts that it will supply the market with extra crude in case of disruptions in oil supplied.
With eye on Iraq, Kuwait urges end to political games The Kuwaiti emir urges his people not to threaten Kuwait’s stability by playing “games” with politics.
Kuwait by-elections boost government grip on assembly Kuwaiti voters elect pro-government candidates to replace five opposition lawmakers who resigned a few months ago.
Kuwait revokes citizenship of 15 nationals The Kuwaiti authorities denaturalize fifteen nationals on the grounds that they acquired a second citizenship.
Saudi Arabia to expel expats who ‘disrespect’ Ramadan The Saudi authorities announce they will deport non-Muslim foreigners who eat, smoke, or drink in public this month.
Saudis behead two for raping minors Saudi authorities behead two nationals, bringing the number of beheadings in the kingdom this year to fifteen.
Repression in Bahrain
Bahrain acquits key opposition figure Ismaeel Naar reports on the acquittal of Khalil al-Marzooq, who was charged with “inciting violence” and having links with a “terrorist” group.
Bahrainis encouraged to take active part in parliamentary elections King Hamad Bin Isa urges Bahrainis to “actively participate” in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Three Indians hurt in Bahrain blast recuperating Three Indian expatriates, severely injured in a blast in Manama two days ago, are recuperating in hospital.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen troops foil hospital attack, 6 killed Militants attack a military-affiliated hospital in Hadramawt.
Saudi hostage freed in Yemen: ministry A Saudi man is released by his abductors after “huge efforts” to secure his release.
Yemeni intelligence official killed in Sanaa A senior intelligence officer investigating the abduction of foreigners is assassinated in Sanaa.
Armed fighters attack Yemen`s Seiyun airport Suspected al-Qaeda fighters briefly seize an airport in Yemen.
Suicide bomber kills two soldiers as clashes erupt in Yemen A suicide bomber drives his explosives-laden car into the entrance of a military base in Seiyun.
Yemeni judge orders that `disappeared` US citizen be produced in court A Yemeni judge orders the Yemeni attorney general to “produce” Sharif Mobley, who has been in Yemeni custody since 2010, and whose lawyer lost contact with him last February.
13 civilians die as Yemen army clashes with rebels: medic The recent clashes between Yemeni troops and Houthi fighters in Amran leave thirteen civilians dead.
Fierce clashes breach Yemen ceasefire Renewed clashes between pro-government tribesmen and Houthi fighters break out near Sanaa.
Prosecute officials for abusing migrants Belkis Wille argues that the officials responsible for the ill-treatment of migrant workers in Yemen should be brought to justice.
Media
Peter Greste says he is devastated and outraged by seven-year jail sentence The Australian journalist asserts that he will consider all measures to have his conviction overturned.
Outrage as Egypt jails Al Jazeera staff Reactions to the jail sentences of the three Al Jazeera journalists.
Irish journalists stage protest on behalf of the jailed Al-Jazeera three Roy Greenslade blogs on the National Union of Journalists’ protests in front of the Egyptian embassy in Dublin.
Human Rights
Saudi Arabia: Malicious Spyware App Identified Human Rights Watch urges the Saudi regime to clarify whether it is infecting and monitoring mobile phones with surveillance malware.
Egypt: Jazeera Convictions Miscarriage of Justice Human Rights Watch deplores the decision of a Cairo court to sentence the three Al Jazeera English journalists to prison.
Saudi Arabia must stop prosecuting human rights activists on spurious charges Amnesty International condemns the sentencing of Fowzan al-Harbi, a founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political RIghts Association, to seven years in prison.
Arabic
العراق بين بندر وسليماني
Habib Fayad argues that the fact that Saudi Arabia`s Prince Bandar and Iran`s Qassim Suleimani are in charge of the Iraqi crisis in their countries means that the only available solution will be military, not diplomatic.
داعش يلامس حدود السعودية
An analysis of the threat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant pose to the Saudi regime following its success in Iraq.
الكارثة السعودية... السعودية الكارثة
Jean Aziz analyzes Saudi Arabia`s harmful role in the region in light of the gains that ISIS made in Iraq.
السعوديون من أكبر الداعمين للجماعات السورية وداعش… وبعد العراق صار دعمهم ثانويا
Ibrahim Darwish argues that the Saudi support of different groups in Syria, including ISIS, has dwindled following the recent developments in Iraq.
الملك السعودي: إجراءات لحماية البلاد من الإرهاب
The Saudi king orders all necessary measures to protect the kingdom against any “terrorist threats” in a security meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation in Iraq.
السعودية: الإعدام لـ 3 من القاعدة
A Saudi court sentences three men affiliated with al-Qaeda to death.
السعودية: الحكم على خمسة أدينوا في أحداث القطيف
The Saudi authorities sentence five young men to jail for participating in protests in Qatif.
لافروف ينهي زيارة إلى السعودية: تكثيف الجهود لمنع سيطرة الإرهابيين
The Russian foreign minister visited Saudi Arabia to discuss the latest developments in the region.
العاهل السعودي يبلغ كيري بأنه سيضغط على السنة للانضمام لحكومة العراق
The Saudi king assures the US secretary of state that he will use his influence with Iraqi Sunni leaders to join the new government.
ولي العهد السعودي يلتقي وزير الدفاع البريطاني
The Saudi crown prince meets with the British foreign minister to discuss the latest developments in the region.
اعفاء نائب وزير الدفاع السعودي خالد بن بندر بن عبد العزيز من منصبه
The Saudi king relieves Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz from his position as deputy defense minister.
قلق سعودي على مصير 55 سعوديا معتقلين في سجون العراق
The Saudi authorities express concern over the fate of fifty-five Saudi nationals imprisoned in Iraq.
الكويت: 5 أعضاء فازوا بمقاعد النواب المستقيلين في الانتخابات التكميلية
Kuwaiti voters elect pro-government candidates to replace five opposition lawmakers who resigned a few months ago.
أمير الكويت: مخطط لهدم الدولة النيران حولنا والوطن فوق الحريات
The Kuwaiti emir calls upon Kuwaiti nationals and media to stop raising the issue of corruption, asserting that the legal system is looking into it.
البحرين: تبرئة خليل المرزوق
A news report on the acquittal of Khalil al-Marzooq, a Bahraini opposition figure, of the charges of "inciting violence" and having links with a "terrorist" group.
البحرين: الكيدية والانتقام ينسجان قضية خليل المرزوق
Mariam Abdullah argues that the case of Khalil al-Marzooq was driven by revenge, not justice.
البحرين: أحكام تصل إلى المؤبد لـ23 شخصاً أدينوا بقتل شرطي
Bahrain`s Appeals Court upholds the jail sentences of twenty-three Bahrainis accused of killing a policeman in 2012.
«الإمارات»: السجن لمتهمين بدعم «القاعدة» و«النصرة»
Emirati authorities sentence Arab nationals accused of supporting al-Qaeda and al-Nusra Front to jail.
أسبوع في الإمارات العربية المتحدة
Mustafa al-Labad reflects on his visit to the United Arab Emirates to attend two symposiums on Egypt and the US-Iranian rapprochement.
نحو رؤية نقدية لأزمة الخليج العربي
Karam al-Hilu provides a critical view of the repercussions of recent regional developments on the Gulf states.
صنعاء: إصابة 17 شرطياً في كمين للحوثيين
Seventeen Yemeni soldiers are injured in an ambush in Gharif.
الحوثيون ينصبون أسلحة ثقيلة باتجاه قوات النخبة في العاصمة صنعاء
Houthi fighters direct heavy weapons towards a camp for elite forces.
الملك السعودي يهنئ أمير قطر بذكرى توليه الحكم
The Saudi king congratulates the Qatari emir on the first anniversary of his assumption of power.
الرأسمال الخليجي كأداة للاختراق الثقافي
Abdullah bin Umara writes on the wealth of the Gulf states as an instrument of cultural sabotage in the region.
ابتسم هنا قطر: رفاهية بالمليارات!
Joey Salim examines the Qatari ruling family`s wealth and luxurious life.