[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.]
“FISCALLY SPEAKING: Saudis Wouldn`t Gain Much From A Union With Bahrain,” a Kipp report on the disadvantages to Saudi Arabia of union, with other Gulf Arab states, particularly Bahrain.
“Qatar to allow trade union, scrap ‘sponsor` system,” a news article on the possible cancellation of the employment sponsorship system in Qatar in light of the small state’s need to hire around one million employees before the 2022 World Cup.
"Bahrain: A Prominent Cyber Activist Faces Charges of Assault on Police," a report documenting the arrest and detention of activist Zainab al-Khawaja and her subsequent hunger strike.
"Dissonance or Harmony? Critical Muslim Thinking in Saudi Arabia," a blog introducing the Islamic scholar, Abdullah Hamidaddin, whose examination of the intersection of faith, doctrine, and critical thinking has attracted the unwanted attention of Saudi authorities.
"Bahrain: The Disappearance of a Prominent Activist on Hunger Strike," a report announcing the disappearance of the imprisoned activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.
"Girls School in Saudi Arabia Defies Clerics by Playing Basketball," an article covering the first state-run girls school to openly encourage sports.
"UN Approves $1B in Compensation for Iraq Invasion of Kuwait," an article detailing the ongoing process of UN-mandated compensation to “victims of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.”
"Obama to be Challenged Over Human Cost of CIA Drone Strikes," an article reporting on the initial stages of an activist campaign to illuminate the scale of destruction and death in Pakistan and Yemen caused by the United States government’s clandestine drone strike strategy.
"Why Are Saudis Killing Themselves?" An article exploring the links between the rise in suicide cases in the Kingdom and increasing poverty, unemployment, and despair over future prospects.
"Obama Approves Expanded Drone War in Yemen," a Common Dreams article reporting that under the new operational guidelines for drone strikes, targets need not be recognized by identity, but merely by behavioral “signatures.”
"The Rise of Arab Republics?" Al-Jazeera English article positing the loss of influence of Arab monarchies in the post-uprisings realignment of geo-strategic interests in the Middle East.
"Bahrain’s Struggle for Change," Al-Jazeera English article discussing the hunger strike of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Bahrain’s political status quo.
"The Opposition ‘Are Terrorizing the Rest of This Country’," a Spiegel Online interview with the Prime Minister of Bahrain.
"Forgotten Bahrain," an article by As’ad AbuKhalil demonstrating the hypocrisy of Western media and governments’ celebration of Syrian activists while simultaneously obscuring and denigrating the Bahraini struggle.
"Saudi Arabia: Abolish Terrorism Court," a Human Rights Watch report calling for the abolishment of the Specialized Criminal Court, which has increasingly been used to try peaceful dissidents and human rights activists.
"Egypt Has a Right to Lash Out at Saudi Arabia," Al-Akhbar article detailing the reaction to the imprisonment of and fraudulent charges against Egyptian human rights lawyer Ahmed el-Gizawi in Saudi Arabia.
"Egypt Protests Over Detained Lawyer Shut Saudi Embassy," a BBC article describing the widespread discontent over the Saudi imprisonment of Egyptian human rights activist Ahmed el-Gizawi.
"Report: Bahraini Police Beat, Torture Detainees," a CNN article describes the abuses of anti-government protesters documented in a Human Rights Watch report.
"Egypt Versus Saudi Arabia: New Rules," an article by As`ad AbuKhalil examining the effect of widespread Egyptian resentment towards Saudi Arabia on Egypt’s evolving post-revolution foreign policy.
"Yemen: The Political Power of Laughter," an article by Atiaf Alwazir examining the subversive importance of satire and humor to Yemeni political discourse.
"Bahrain Activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja Wins Retrial," a BBC article announcing the appeal court decision to retry al-Khawaja, who is to remain in prison until that time.
"Bahrain Court Orders Retrial for 21 Activists," Al-Jazeera report on the appeal victory of convicted human rights activists, including Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.
"Saudi Arabia and Egypt: Is it a Battle for Leadership?" An opinion piece refuting the claim that Egypt once played a vital political role in the Middle East.
"Labor Unions in Oman: Part I," a blog post on the history of Oman’s labor laws and recent changes made to improve labor rights.
In Arabic:
تأشيرات دخول المصريين للسعودية موقوفة تماماً
Saudi Arabia suspends visit visas to Egyptians after the diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
طز» المصريّة تلاحق ملك السعوديّة
An Al-Akhbar article on the anger of Egyptian protesters and its possible impact on the presidential elections.
ثورة البحرين... التغيير الممكن
Ammar Dyoub writes on the popular Bahraini uprising as key to putting an end to Gulf dictatorships
احتفاء قطري (ملغى) بصهيوني ناعم
A critique of the separation between culture and politics and the success of the BDS movement in pressuring the Qatari state to cancel Daniel Barenboim`s invitation to perform in the Gulf state.
صراخ في الخليج.. لا أكثر
On the crisis over hegemony in the Gulf and the politicization of the struggle over the three Gulf islands meant to increase pressure on Iran.
الحكم على قناة كويتية بدفع 1,8 مليون دولار بتهمة الاساءة للاسرة الحاكمة
The Kuwaiti government fines Scope TV 1.8 million dollars for offending the ruling family.
تضارب الأنباء حول اختفاء الخواجة
Updates from the Bahraini street as rumors of a Saudi-Bahraini union emerge.
الكويت: المعارضة ترفع سقف تحدّي الأسرة الحاكمة
The Kuwaiti opposition to request constitutional amendments, one of which pertains to giving the prime minister portfolio to a non-ruling family member.
السعودية تعتقل محامياً مصرياً: "الذات الملكية" في مرمى الثوار
On the Saudi arrest of Egyptian lawyer Ahmad al-Jizawi