[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 listing of Brotherhood as terrorist group complicates Gulf ties Yara Bayoumy and Sylvia Westall examine the implications of the Saudi move for GCC relations in general, and Saudi-Qatari relations in particular.
How the Middle East has gone cool towards Qatar A news report on people’s views of Qatar in the region following recent attempts to isolate the country.
Qatar defends foreign policy over Gulf rift Qatar’s foreign minister emphasizes that Doha’s policy is based on “openness towards all.”
Qatar crisis ‘may get worse’ A news report on fears among some Gulf states that the crisis with Qatar may be prolonged.
Qatar prepares for sanctions if Brotherhood dispute escalates Simeon Kerr writes on the deterioration of relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and the prospect of economic pressures on Qatar.
Unchartered Gulf waters Hussein Haridy argues that recent efforts to isolate Qatar herald the emergence of a new alliance in the region.
Qatari crisis in context Mohamed Al-Said Idris analyzes the future of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the context of the Saudi-Qatari rift.
What will come of the Saudi-Qatari feud? Nahed Hattar argues that Saudi measures against Qatar will push the latter to retaliate through destabilizing the kingdom internally and undermining the Saudi role in Syria.
Oman’s foreign minister downplays GCC rift Bin Alawi maintains that ties among the Gulf states will be amended with time.
Saudi and Kuwait arrest Brotherhood members The two Gulf states arrest members of the Muslim Brotherhood after Cairo submits an international arrest warrant on them.
Drone deaths rise in Afghanistan and Yemen Ben Emmerson, the UN Special Rapporteur, announces that civilian deaths caused by drone strikes increased in 2013.
Egypt's Sisi in UAE in first visit to Gulf Egypt’s military chief and presidential favorite visits the Gulf state to attend joint military exercises there.
Contracting the UAE Sherine Abdel-Razek reflects on the implication of the Egyptian army’s decision to contract Arabtec, Dubai’s largest construction firm, to build affordable housing units all over Egypt.
UAE summons Iraq envoy over 'terrorism' claim The United Arab Emirates summons the Iraqi ambassador to protest the Iraqi prime minister's claim that Saudi Arabia supports terrorism.
Saudis slams terrorism charges by Iraqi PM Riyadh asserts that Nouri al-Maliki’s accusations are not founded.
Saudi Arabia loans Pakistan $1.5 billion to shore up economy Mehreen Zahra-Malik writes on the Saudi loan to Pakistan.
Saudi Crown Prince starts official visit to China A news report on the crown prince’s official visit to China.
Iran tries to allay Gulf Arab nuclear fears The Iranian foreign minister emphasizes that Iran’s message to the Gulf states is that of “friendship, fraternity and cooperation.”
Iran’s Rouhani in Oman to boost ties with Gulf ally A news report on the Iranian president’s visit to Oman last week.
Oman, Iran agree to build submarine gas pipeline Muscat signs an agreement with Tehran to build a submarine pipeline to import gas from Iran.
Reports and Opinions
Lunch with the FT: Prince Turki al-Faisal Edward Luce interviews the Saudi prince, the former head of Saudi intelligence for twenty-four years.
The Saudi royal family: Palace coop An article on the power and wealth of the Saudi ruling family.
Is your name now 'banned' in Saudi Arabia? Heather Saul reports on the baby names that the Saudi minister of interior banned recently.
Shura Council member rejects ban on baby names A member of the Shura Council denounces the civil authorities’ ban on fifty names.
Saudi’s Lonely, Costly Bid for Sunni-Shiite Equality Robert F. Worth writes on Mikhlif al-Shammari, a Saudi national who has been jailed and declared an infidel for calling upon Sunni Muslims to treat Shiite Muslims as equals.
Saudi activist calls for women’s ministry Maha Al Muneef, a doctor and activist, calls for the establishment of a ministry to look after women and children.
Floods kill 7 in Saudi Arabia A news report on the death toll caused by floods in the Saudi city of Ha’il.
Oman rain death toll rises to 6 The heavy rain in the Gulf state leaves six people dead.
UAE strives to improve respect for human rights The minister of labor says his country continues to improve human rights records and to provide better lifestyles for workers.
Repression in Bahrain
Bomb wounds two policemen in Bahraini Shi'ite village A news report on an explosion in the village of al-Eker last week, which left two soldiers dead.
Bahrain Saddam commemoration stirs controversy Habib Toumi writes on the controversy over the display of a large picture of the former Iraqi president during an international cultural diversity festival hosted by the University of Bahrain.
Bahrain calls for united front against terror The Bahraini interior minister calls for a reorganization of security arrangements among Arab countries in order to enable them to deal with unexpected crises.
Crisis in Yemen
Saudis hardened by wars in Syria, Iraq join al Qaeda in Yemen Rania El Gamal argues that Saudi militants who left Iraq and Syria to fight in Yemen are responsible for the spike in al-Qa‘ida attacks in Yemen.
Helping or hurting Yemen? Nasser Arrabyee argues that UN Security Council Resolution 2140, which aims to facilitate the implementation of the outcomes of the national dialogue, needs to be applied in a politically sensitive manner.
Two Yemeni soldiers killed in Al Houthi attack At least forty people died last week in clashes between the Houthis and Sunni tribesmen in northwestern Yemen.
Yemen army, separatists swap prisoners amid truce A news report on a prisoner exchange between the Yemeni army and southern separatists.
Yemen troops kill southern activist: group Yemeni troops shoot dead a young activist from Aden’s Southern Movement.
Rebels rally in Yemen city demanding government quit Houthi rebels demonstrate in Omran, chanting “down with the corrupt government.”
Media
Cairo extends detention of Al Jazeera staff A criminal court extends the detention of a journalist working for Al Jazeera Arabic, and postpones the trial of the three journalists working for Al Jazeera English.
Saudi Arabia closes local al Jazeera office over Qatar’s backing for the Muslim Brotherhood Patrick Cockburn reports on the Saudi intention to close the local office of Al Jazeera in the kingdom, following the withdrawal of the Qatari ambassador to Riyadh.
Culture
Saudi book fair bans 'blasphemous' Mahmoud Darwish works after protest Alison Flood reports on the removal of the Palestinian poet’s work from the Riyadh International Book Fair because they contain “blasphemous passages.”
Saudis ban books at fair in wide-ranging crackdown Saudi authorities ban hundreds of books at the Riyadh International Book Fair.
Middle East ban for Hollywood’s Noah epic The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar ban the Hollywood film for its depiction of a prophet.
Human Rights
Dispatches: Saudi Arabia Talks Human Rights in Geneva, Represses Rights at Home Adam Coogle analyzes the address delivered by the president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council.
Yemen: Lethal Force Against Southern Protesters Human Rights Watch condemns the death of a young activist affiliated with the Southern Movement.
Torture in Oman, Repression in Saudi Arabia and UAE / Side Event at the United Nations Human Rights Council The Gulf Center for Human Rights, in conjunction with other human rights organizations, issues a report on human rights violations in the three Gulf states.
The GCC Agreement Imposes Further Restrictions on Public Liberties The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its concern over new security agreements among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.