[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 Expand Regional Power as Others Falter David Kirkpatrick examines Saudi Arabia’s regional politics.
US charges Yemenis over alleged murder plot Saudi Arabia arrests and extradites two Yemeni nationals accused of attacking US troops.
Regime collapse threatens Yemen`s key role in US counter-terrorism strategy Martin Chulov, Alan Yuhas, and Spence Ackerman analyze the implications of the power vacuum in Yemen for the US war on terror.
White House `strongly condemns` unrest in Yemen as violence escalates Spencer Ackerman reflects on Washington’s reactions to political developments in Yemen.
Yemen crisis: Chaos is security nightmare for US Frank Gardner analyzes Washington’s worry over the turn of events in Yemen.
Unrest in Yemen stymies Obama plan to transfer Guantánamo detainees A news report on the challenges facing Barack Obama’s efforts to close Guantanamo after a ban on transferring detainees to Yemen was reinstated.
Reports and Opinions
Planned flogging of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi postponed again The Saudi authorities decide to postpone the flogging of Raif Badawi for the second time.
Ministry of Justice bids for contract with Saudi prison service Emma Graham-Harrison and David Batty write on the efforts of the British ministry of justice to profit from selling its expertise to the prison service in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Beheads Child Rapist, Marking 13th Execution of 2015 A news report on the latest beheading in Saudi Arabia.
Repression in Bahrain
Nabeel Rajab: Bahrain activist sentenced for tweet A Bahraini court sentences Nabeel Rajab for six months in prison.
Bahrain’s main opposition leader accused of plotting coup Ali Salman will appear before a court on charges of plotting a coup tomorrow.
The Bahraini Uprising, 4 Years Later Alan Taylor writes on the fourth anniversary of the Bahraini uprising.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen crisis: President ‘reaches deal’ with rebels The embattled president tries to reach a peace deal with the Houthis who are controlling key institutions in Sanaa.
Houthi fighters surround Yemen PM`s palace The Houthis surround the house of the prime minister after he escaped an attack on his convoy.
Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels shell presidential home A news report on the Houthis’ move to control key points in Sanaa.
Houthis take over Yemen presidential palace The Houthis take control of the presidential palace.
Yemen state news agency and TV station seized by Shia Houthi rebels Hakim Almasmari and Martin Chulov report on the Houthis’ seizure of the state news agency and TV station.
Yemen crisis: President resigns as rebels tighten hold A news report on the resignation of the Yemeni president.
Yemen`s president resigns: He’s Hadi enough An Economist article on the resignation of the Yemeni president.
Houthi fighters on alert as Yemen power vacuum emerges The Houthis are on alert following the resignation of the Yemeni president.
Thousands march against Houthi faction in Yemen Chris Johnston reports on protests against the Houthis in Sanaa.
Yemen civilians caught in the crossfire A news report on the impact of current events on civilians.
Yemen: understanding Houthi motives is complicated but essential Ian Black argues that the Houthis are a more important player in Yemen’s affairs than al-Qa‘ida militants.
Yemen Internal Talks Grind to a Halt amid Heightened Political Crisis An update on the political situation in Yemen following power vacuum.
Shifting Alliances Play Out Behind Closed Doors in Yemen Mona El-Naggar examines the efforts in Yemen to find a solution to the political vacuum in the country.
How Al Qaeda’s Biggest Enemy Took Over Yemen (and Why the U.S. Government Is Unlikely to Support Them) Casey L. Coombs and Jeremy Scahill analyze the significance of the Houthis’ control of Sanaa.
A Coup in Yemen? Jeremy Scahill & Iona Craig on Rebel Offensive to Seize Power, Saudi Role & AQAP Amy Goodman interviews Jeremy Scahill and Iona Craig on the recent developments in Yemen.
Death of King Abdullah: Obituaries, Oil, and Succession
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz dies A news report on the death of King Abdullah.
Who is the new Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud? Matthew Weaver provides a profile of King Salman.
Analysis: Saudi Arabia`s smooth transition Mansour Almarzoqi reports on the smooth transition of power in Saudi Arabia.
The question of succession in Saudi Arabia Ismaeel Naar examines the issue of succession in Saudi Arabia.
Royal Grandson Mohammed bin Nayef: A King in Waiting A news report on the new Saudi deputy crown prince.
King Salman’s appointments signal change ahead in Saudi Arabia Ian Black writes on the implications of the selection of Muhammad bin Nayef and Prince Mohammed for key roles.
A Saudi Palace Coup David Hearst writes on the rise of the Sudairi wing within the Saudi ruling family to prominence again hours after the death of King Abdullah.
Saudi Arabia: A Time for a Ruthless Reckoning Fouad Ibarahim argues that King Salman’s new decrees, which were declared as soon as King Abdullah was buried, constitute a revenge on the late king’s legacy.
Saudi Arabia’s Succession Line Is Set, but the Nation’s Path Remains Uncertain Ben Hubbard maintains that though succession is settled for now, the kingdom faces profound internal pressure.
The regional impacts of Saudi succession Lina Khatib argues that the current succession is not the most crucial one for Saudi foreign policy, but the one to follow is.
Saudi Arabia’s monarchy: The king is dead An Economist article on the Middle East after the death of King Abdullah.
King Abdullah’s gone, but the Saudi monarchy’s pact with the mosques remains Hala al-Dosari argues that the ruling family endures due to its pact with the religious establishment.
New Saudi king pledges to stay the course The new Saudi king pledges to maintain existing energy and foreign policies.
Saudi Arabia after King Abdullah A news report on how Saudi Arabia will deal with the turbulent changes in the region without King Abdullah.
Saudi: Turbulent times for new King Salman Gerald Butt reports on the challenges facing the new king.
World leaders in Saudi Arabia to pay tribute to late king A news report on the gathering of world leaders in Saudi Arabia to pay tribute to King Abdullah.
King Abdullah embodied the wickedness of Saudi Arabia’s regime Andrew Brown provides a critical account of King Abdullah’s legacy.
Saudi Arabia’s Tyrant King Misremembered as Man of Peace Murtaza Hussain ridicules obituaries describing King Abdullah as a man of peace.
Remembering Saudi’s King Abdullah: "He Was Not a Benevolent Dictator, He Was a Dictator" Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez report on the legacy of King Abdullah.
`Nauseating` Praise for Dead Saudi King Exposes Hypocrisy of West, Say Critics Dierdre Fulton analyzes the obituaries on King Abdullah.
King Abdullah, a feminist? Don’t make me laugh Anne Perkins criticizes Christine Lagarde’s description of the former king as a defender of women’s rights.
West’s praise of King Abdullah shows Saudi Arabia is exception to human rights stance Julian Borger writes on human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.
The truth about Saudi King Abdullah’s human rights record Adam Coogle examines the late Saudi king’s human rights record.
Five things you need to know about Saudi Arabia’s future Jane Kinninmont argues that the death of King Abdullah raises questions about Saudi Arabia’s internal and regional politics and relations with the West.
Saudi Arabia Oil: What next? Andrew Walker reflects on how succession in Saudi Arabia will impact oil policy.
Oil prices rise after Saudi king’s death as successor says approach won`t change Julie Kollewe writes on the rise of oil prices following the news of King Abdullah’s death.
Human Rights
Dispatches: UK Credibility on Bahrain Shot to Pieces Nicholas McGeehan, from Human Rights Watch, deplores British statements in support of the Bahraini king.
Saudi Arabia: King’s Reform Agenda Unfulfilled Human Rights Watch argues that late Saudi king has failed to secure the fundamental rights of Saudi citizens.
Saudi Arabia: Doctors find Raif Badawi unfit for flogging on health grounds second week in a row Amnesty International reports on Raif Badawi’s medical condition.
Bahrain: Nabeel Rajab sentenced in free expression case, belying promises of reform The Gulf Center for Human Rights condemns Nabeel Rajab’s six-month jail sentence.
Oman: Prominent human rights defender Saed Jadad summoned to court on fabricated charges The Gulf Center for Human Rights condemns an Omani court’s decision to summon Saed Jadad.
Bahrain: Continuous Targeting of Bahraini Opposition Former MPs The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses concern over the ongoing harassment of former members of parliament because of their political opinion.
Arabic
الحوثيون يُجهضون «معركة تقسـيم» اليمن
Ali Jahiz argues that the Houthis blocked efforts to divide Yemen when they prevented the ratification of the new constitution ten days ago.
تقليم أظافر هادي... والدور على آل الأحمر
Muhannad Obeid reports on the Houthis’ entry to Sanaa and control of administrative, military, and informational institutions.
يوم عصيب في صنعاء: اشتباكات واتهامات بـانقلاب
A news report on clashes between the Houthis and the Yemeni army last week.
الرئيس اليمني يجتمع مع مستشاريه اثر اشتباكات قرب قصره
The Yemeni president met with his consultants while clashes near his palace erupted last week.
الحوثي لهادي: 4 مطالب للتنفيذ السريع وإلا
The Houthis gave the Yemeni president a forty-eight hour deadline.
هادي يستجيب لمطالب الحوثي: تعديل الدستور وإنصاف المحرومين
The Yemeni president tried to appease the Houthis by amending the constitution.
القصر الرئاسي اليمني تحت «حراسة» أنصار الله
The presidential palace is under “the protection” of the Houthis.
الحوثي: جميع الخيارات مفتوحة لمواجهة المؤامرة الخارجية
The leader of the Houthis asserted that all options were open to confront foreign conspiracies in Yemen.
اليمن | ما بعد استقالة هادي: غموض سياسي.. والجنوب يلوّح بالانفصال
A news report on the political scene following the resignation of the Yemeni president.
السعودية تُدخل اليمن إلى المجهول
A news report on Saudi Arabia’s interference in Yemen’s affairs, which led to the resignation of the president.
الحوثيون ماضون في رسم «اليمن الجديد»: لا عودة إلى الوراء
Joey Salim asserts that the Houthis are going ahead with their plan to define “the new Yemen.”
استقالة الرئيس تقسّم اليمن
The Yemeni parliament rejects the resignation of the Yemeni president.
انقلاب لم يقع في صنعاء
Khalil Harb argues that a coup did not take place in Yemen.
اليمنيون في الأزمة: الرئيس خذلنا
Jamal Jubran writes on Yemenis who think that the president has let them down.
أنصار الله تقترب من مأرب... وسط تحذير إقليمي ودولي
The Houthis approach Marib while regional and international powers warn of the turn of events in Yemen.
مؤيدو هادي يعلنون انفصال الجنوب... وأزمة الفراغ تراوح مكانها
Supporters of the resigned Yemeni president announce the secession of south Yemen.
اليمن: تعثر المحادثات عشية جلسة لمجلس الأمن
The dialogue between the Houthis and parties close to the resigned president fails.
اليمن: تمرد في مواجهة الحوثيين.. وسط فراغ سياسي
A news report on the political scene in Yemen following the resignation of the president and the prime minister.
اليمن: هدوء سياسي.. يقلق واشنطن
An update on the political situation in Yemen.
البحرين: علي سلمان إلى المحاكمة... محبوساً
The general-secretary of Al-Wifaq National Islamic Society will appear before court tomorrow on charges of conspiring against the regime.
المنامة: سجن نبيل رجب 6 أشهر
A Bahraini court sentences Nabeel Rajab to six months in jail.
نظام الحكم السعودي في اختبار صعب
The Saudi regime is facing a hard choice as King Abdullah was admitted to hospital last week.
رحيل عبد الله: سلمان ملكاً ومقرن وليا للعهد
A news report on the death of King Abdullah.
هيئة البيعة تضمن انتقالاً سلساً للحكم
A news report on the smooth transition of power in Saudi Arabia.
السعودية: عهد الحساب العسير
Fouad Ibrahim argues that King Salman’s new decrees, which were declared as soon as King Abdullah was buried, constitute a revenge on the late king’s legacy.
لا تغييرات حيال الملفات الإقليمية الساخنة
Fouad Ibrahim argues that there will be no changes in Saudi Arabia’s urgent regional files.
السعودية: أوباما يعزي سلمان وروحاني يهنئ الملك الجديد
The US president sends his condolences to the new Saudi king.
السعودية.. أزمة نظام أم نهايته
Munir al-Khatib wonders if Saudi Arabia is facing a regime crisis.
التغييرات داخلياً وإقليمياً ودولياً
Mustafa al-Labad maintains that Saudi Arabia is entering a new stage with the death of King Abdullah.
ظريف في الرياض اليوم
The Iranian foreign minister visits Riyadh to offer his condolences.
تأبين الملوك
Amr Mohsen writes on the obituaries of Saudi kings.
تساؤلات في الغرب: أي مستقبل للعائلة الحاكمة؟
The death of King Abdullah raises questions, in the West, on the future of the ruling family.
مستقبل "الشرطة الدينية" في عهد الملك سلمان؟
A news report on the the future of the morality police under King Salman.
السعودية في عهد سلمان: عودة السُديريين
The Sudeiri family is back in power in Saudi Arabia under King Salman’s rule.
أبو متعب «مَلِكُ الإنسانية»... اضحكْ
Jaafar al-Bakli ridicules writers who hailed the former Saudi king as “the king of humanity.”
عته القيادة السعودية يثير قلقاً أميركياً
Nadine Shalaq argues that King Salman’s illness is raising Washington’s fear over the future of the Saudi ruling family.
الحزن على عبد الله يوحّد حماس وفتح
Sadness over the death of King Abdullah unifies Hamas and Fath.
إسرائيل «حزينة»: رحل القائد النموذجي الحكيم
A news report on Israeli officials’ praise of King Abdullah following his death.
مصر تفقد حليفاً استراتيجياً: الدعم السعودي مستمر
Mustafa Basyouni writes on the Saudi-Egyptian relations following the death of King Abdullah.
آل سعود و ويكيليكس
A news report on Wikileaks reports on the former Saudi king.
محمد بن نايف... الحفيد الملك
A news report on the new Saudi deputy crown prince, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.
السيسي إلى السعودية... وتميم إلى مصر
The Egyptian president pays a visit to Saudi Arabia while the Qatari emir goes to Egypt.
شمخاني: لنمنع إراقة الدماء بحوار صريح مع السعودية
The Iranian secretary of the Supreme National Security Council invites Saudi Arabia to prevent bloodshed through dialogue.
مشاورات روسية ــ سعودية لمكافحة الإرهاب
A news report on Saudi-Russian discussions on how to fight terrorism.
دول الخليج قادرة على تمويل عجزها لسنوات آتية
A news report on the Gulf states’ ability to fund budget deficits for years.
ألمانيا توقف تصدير السلاح إلى السعودية
Germany decides to stop exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia due to regional instability.
زوجة رائف بدوي قلقة على صحته
Raif Badawi’s wife is worried about his health.
السعودية ترجئ مجدداً جلد المدون بدوي
Saudi Arabia postpones the flogging of Raif Badawi for the second time.