[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.
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