[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
Saudi Arabia to reopen Baghdad embassy after 25-year chill A Saudi delegation will travel to Baghdad to start preparations for reopening the Saudi embassy in Baghdad.
Oman ‘seeks to bridge regional gaps through diplomacy’ Joseph Kechichian reports on Oman’s efforts to bridge the rift among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Al Sissi to visit Kuwait on Monday The Egyptian president paid a visit to Kuwait.
Saudi Daesh cleric killed in northern Syria A Saudi cleric with the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria is killed in Kobani.
Saudi Guards Killed in Suicide Attack on Iraq Border Two armed men open fire on Saudi border guards near Judayyidat Arar in Northern Borders province.
Reports and Opinions
Saudi king hospitalised with pneumonia A news report on the deteriorating health of the Saudi king.
Saudi king needed help breathing due to pneumonia: royal court An update on the Saudi king’s health.
Saudi Arabia captures Shi`ites suspected of instigating unrest Saudi security forces arrest a man accused of belonging to a Shi‘a Muslim group blamed for instigating unrest in the Eastern Province.
Saudi Arabia beheads two in first executions of 2015 Saudi Arabia beheads two Saudis convicted of trafficking drugs.
Repression in Bahrain
Al Wefaq leader remanded in custody The Bahraini regime remands Ali Salam in custody pending further investigation by the public prosecution.
Lawyer Says Bahrain Shiite Leader Formally Charged Bahrain’s public prosecution charges Ali Salman with “inciting a change of government by force, inciting hatred of a segment of society, inciting others to break the law and insulting the king.”
Forces clash with Bahrainis protesting the detention of Sheikh Salman A news report on the ongoing protests in Bahrain, demanding the release of Ali Salman.
US warns Bahrain opposition leader`s arrest could `inflame tensions` The State Department expresses its concern over the arrest of Ali Salman, and warns that it could lead to more tension in Bahrain.
Bahrain denounces interference after Washington criticizes arrest The Bahraini regime denounces what it calls foreign double standards and interference.
Bahrain sentences two men to death for killing policeman A Bahraini court sentences two men to death on charges of killing a policeman.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen report highlights turmoil`s human cost The death toll of violence in Yemen in 2014 reaches seven thousand people.
Yemen rebels reject agreed federal plan The leader of the Houthis rejects a reform agreement to divide the country into six federal regions.
Four fighters from Houthi-led militia die in bombing, army officer shot in Yemen A senior army officer was shot dead in Ataq, while four Houthi fighters were killed in a bomb attack in Sanaa.
Seven killed in clashes between Yemen`s army and tribesmen: local officials Clashes between tribesmen and the Yemeni army in Marib leave seven dead and fifteen injured.
At least 26 killed in Yemen suicide bombing: security official A suicide bomber killed twenty-six people when he blew himself up in a cultural center.
Yemen arrests three foreigners over possible Al Qaida links The Yemeni police arrests three foreigners on suspicion of belonging to al-Qa‘ida.
Media
Why a retrial could be the best outcome for the Al-Jazeera three Roy Greenslade blogs on the possible retrial of the three jailed Al Jazeera journalists.
Two jailed Al Jazeera journalists seek presidential deportation from Egypt Two f the three jailed journalists seek to be deported under a new law.
Omani author summoned after critical tweet The Omani authorities summon Ali al-Rawahi for tweeting that the Omanis are ignorant of their own rights.
Human Rights
Egypt: Retrial of Al Jazeera journalists must pave way to their unconditional freedom Amnesty International hopes that the retrial of the three jailed journalists will lead to their freedom.
Bahrain: Human rights defender Mohammed Al-Maskati sentenced to 6 months in prison The Gulf Center for Human Rights deplores the jail sentence of al-Maskati.
NGOs Condemn Death Penalty Sentence of Mohammed Ramadan and Husain Ali Moosa The Bahrain Center for Human Rights, along with other three organizations, condemn a Bahraini court’s decision to sentence Ramadan and Moosa to death.
Bahrain: Ayat Al-Safar Still In Detention For Sheltering Wanted Suspects The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses concern over the arrest of al-Sahar.
Arabic
غضب في البحرين: أطلقوا علي سلمان الآن
A news report on ongoing protests in Bahrain, demanding the release of Ali Salman, the secretary-general of Al-Wifaq National Islamic Society.
البحرين: السلطات تحذر من «تصاعد العنف»
The Bahraini authorities warn against “the escalation of violence” in the country due to protests.
البحرين: تمديد احتجاز علي سلمان أسبوعاً
The Bahraini authorities extend the detention of Ali Salman for a week.
وساطة عراقية للإفراج عن علي سلمان
The Iraqi foreign minister intends to negotiate with the Bahraini regime to facilitate the release of Ali Salman.
البحرين: قمع متظاهرين على خلفية اعتقال سلمان
Protests in Bahrain entered their sixth day last week.
اليمن: مقتل ضابط في هجوم لـ"القاعدة"..وعصيان في الجنوب
Two gunmen, suspected of belonging to al-Qa’ida, kill an army officer in al-Bayda.
اليمن: 33 قتيلاً في تفجير انتحاري
Thirty-three Houthis die in a suicide bomb attack in Ibb.
اليمن: مقتل سبعة أشخاص في اشتباكات بين الجيش والقبائل
Seven people die in clashes between the army and tribesmen in Ibb.
الحوثي يلوح باجتياح مأرب لمنع تسليمها للقاعدة
The Houthis threaten to invade Marib in order to free the city of al-Qa’ida fighters and “takfiris.”
مركز أبحاث: 2014 عام الحصاد المر باليمن
A review of political developments in Yemen in 2014.
صحف: اتفاق مصالح سري بين هادي والحوثيين
Yemeni newspapers carry articles on a secret agreement between the Yemeni president and al-Houthis.
الحوثي يرفض الأقاليم الستّة: محاولة لتفتيت اليمن
The leader of the Houthis announces that his group rejects any federal arrangement in Yemen.
اليمن: مقتل 6 حوثيين وضابط في هجومين
Six Houthi rebels die in an explosion in Dhamar.
الرياض: إدخال الملك إلى المستشفى
The Saudi king is admitted to hospital “for medical tests.”
ملك السعودية يتنفس بواسطة أنبوب
The Saudi king is diagnosed with pneumonia.
السعودية تستعد لإعادة فتح سفارتها ببغداد
Saudi Arabia announces that it will reopen its embassy in Baghdad, which has been closed for twenty-five years.
الوليد بن طلال ينتقد وزير المالية السعودي:
هل الفخر بزيادة النفقات في وقت انخفاض سعر النفط؟
Prince al-Waleed bin Talal criticizes the Saudi finance minister for increasing expenditure while oil prices are going down.
لودريان يبحث في الرياض الأزمة السورية وتسليح لبنان
The French foreign minister visits Riyadh to discuss the Syrian crisis and the armament of the Lebanese army.