[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 Looks to Lebanon for Regional Boost A news report on the Saudi-Lebanese relations in light of the Lebanese prime minister’s meeting the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh, on Al-Akhbar English.
Qatar Leaks: The Business of Foreign Affairs Radwan Mortada writes on Al-Akhbar Newspaper’s publication of leaked minutes from the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Al-Akhbar English.
Arm Syrian rebels to contain jihadis, says Saudi royal Ian Black reports on Prince Turki al-Faisal’s call for the arming of Syrian rebels to “ensure that 'extremist' groups do not dominate the opposition,” in The Guardian.
Reports and Opinions
Rizana Nafeek: Mother forgives over Saudi beheading A new report on Nafeek’s mother’s assertion that her daughter did not kill the baby in her care and her forgiveness of the Saudi parents who insisted on the execution of her daughter, on BBC.
Sri Lanka curtailing S Arabia maid supply A news report on the Sri Lankan government’s decision to ban women under twenty-five from going to Saudi Arabia after the beheading of Rizana Nafeek, on Al Jazeera English.
Saudi Arabia: Forced into extinction An article on the sarcastic tweets following the religious police's dismantling of an educational exhibition featuring models of dinosaurs in a mall in Dammam, in The Economist.
A Road to Mecca A film by George Misch, tracing the journey of Leopold Weiss, who converted to Islam in 1926 in Saudi Arabia and came to be known as Muhammad Assad, on Al Jazeera English.
A biography of King Faisal: Unexpectedly modern An article on Alexei Vassiliev’s King Faisal of Saudi Arabia: Personality, Faith and Times, in The Economist.
Qatar poet final verdict expected in February A media report on the upcoming trial of Mohammed al-Ajami, who is facing a life sentence for “incitement against the ruling system,” on Al Jazeera English.
UAE to try 94 over ‘plot to seize power’ A news report on the trial of ninety-four people who are charged with attempts to seize power and establish an Islamist state, and with links to the international Muslim Brotherhood organization, on Al Jazeera English.
Repression in Bahrain
Bahrain government says reconciliation talks set to resume A news report on the latest invitation for a dialogue sent from King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa to the opposition, on Reuters.
Bahrain Opposition Gives Cautious Nod for Talks A news report on the Bahraini opposition’s reaction to the king’s call for a dialogue, in The New York Times.
Anger in Bahrain following brutal arrest of female protester A news report on the harsh treatment of Zahra al-Shaikh at her arrest during protests, which included the police slapping her and forcibly removing her veil, on France 24.
Bahraini princess facing multiple torture charges A news report on Noura bint Ebrahim al-Khalifa, accused by Bahraini activists of torturing three people while in detention, on BBC.
Crisis in Yemen
US drone strikes publicly criticised by Yemeni cabinet minister A news report on a rare public condemnation of drone strikes in Yemen voiced by the Yemeni human rights minister, in The Guardian.
UN visit to Yemen draws thousands of protesters: “The People want to put the killer on trial” A news report on protesters’ demands to strip the former Yemeni president of immunity, on al-Akhbar English.
11 Yemen Soldiers Killed in Car Bombing A news report on the death of eleven soldiers after a car bomb exploded next to a military checkpoint, in The New York Times.
Human Rights Watch
Letter to the UN Security Council on human rights concerns in Yemen A letter by the executive director of the organization and the United Nations director addressed to the ambassadors of the UN Security Council on the eve of their visit to Yemen.
Culture
Treasure troves of history and diversity Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi examines the narratives of national history presented in national museums in the Gulf states, and their silence on the questions of minorities, tribal feuds and massacres, on Gulfnews.
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