[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
Moussaoui claims Saudi royals ‘funded 9/11 attacks’ Zacarias Moussaoui claims that members of the Saudi ruling family helped fund the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Pre-9/11 Ties Haunt Saudis as New Accusations Surface Ben Hubbard and Scott Shane analyze the implication of Zacarias Moussaoui’s claim.
Zacarias Moussaoui says al-Qaida was backed by Saudi Arabia. But can he be believed? Jason Burke writes on the credibility of Zacarias Massaoui.
US drone strike in Yemen kills four suspected al-Qaida operatives A news report on the latest US drone strikes in Yemen.
US officials confirm suspension of UAE combat missions US officials say that the United Arab Emirates has suspended air strikes in Syria over fears for pilots’ safety.
Islamic State crisis: UAE sends F-16 squadron to Jordan The United Arab Emirates says that it is sending F-16 fighters to Jordan to support its airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria.
Michelle Obama picks loose clothing, no scarf in Arabia A news report on Michelle Obama, who did not cover her hair during a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Everyone calm down: Michelle Obama's Saudi outfit was plenty respectful Raya Jalabi argues that Michelle Obama’s outfit did not flout protocol.
UAE a step closer to buying US Predator drones Taimur Khan reports on senior US lawmakers’ approval of the sale of surveillance predators to the United Arab Emirates.
Yemen unrest will not derail plans to close Guantánamo Bay prison Barack Obama’s former special envoy for the closure of the infamous detention center asserts that the forty-seven Yemenis currently approved for transfer will not be transferred to Yemen.
Aoun in Saudi Arabia: A New Page? Wafiq Qanso reports on the Free Patriotic Movement leader’s visit to Riyadh.
Qatar Airways buys 10% of British Airways owner IAG Gwyn Topham reports on Qatar’s acquisition of part of British Airways.
Reports and Opinions
Saudi Arabia postpones flogging of Raef Badawi for third week Saudi authorities postpone the flogging of Badawi for a third time.
Saudi Arabia frees associate of imprisoned blogger Raif Badawi A woman co-founder of the Saudi Liberal Network internet group is released after three months in prison.
Repression in Bahrain
Bahrain’s main opposition leader on trial for plotting coup A news report on Ali Salman’s trial.
Bahrain revokes the nationality of 72 people Bahraini authorities denaturalize seventy-two citizens on grounds of damaging national security.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels announce takeover The Houthi rebels announce that a five-member council will act in lieu of a president for an interim period.
Yemen Houthis ‘open’ to political partnerships The Houthi rebels say that they are working with other political factions after taking over power.
Houthis Take Control of Yemen Without Seizing Power Joy Slim analyzes the implication of Houthis’ control of the government.
Yemen’s Houthi takeover branded ‘coup’ by Gulf states Gulf states describe the Houthis’ takeover as a coup.
Bomb hits Yemen capital as thousands protest Houthi takeover An improvised bomb explodes outside the republican palace in Sanaa.
Yemen crisis: UN warns rebels after they seize power The United Nations Security Council emphasizes that the Houthi rebels need to return to talks.
Yemen crisis: UN-brokered talks to resume Monday The United Nations’ envoy in Yemen says that Yemeni political factions agreed to resume talks.
US Yemen embassy closes to public over security fears A news report on the closure of the US embassy in Sanaa.
Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels release presidential aide Houthi rebels release Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak.
South Yemen: De Facto Secession on the Ground Salah al-Saqladi argues that the deteriorating situation in Yemen has increased the determination of south Yemenis to secede.
Death of King Abdullah: Obituaries, Oil, and Succession
Obama visits Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman A news report on the US president’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Obama forced to defend Saudi Arabia cosiness after India tolerance speech Dan Roberts and Jason Burke argue that Obama had to defend his reluctance to challenge Saudi Arabia’s autocratic rulers as he arrived in Saudi Arabia.
Obama brings large delegation to cement ties with Saudi Arabia's new king Dan Roberts reports on the large US delegation that went to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences.
Essay contest billed as tribute to 'life and leadership' of Saudi king Abdullah General Martin Dempsey announced the creation of a research and essay competition, which will be a tribute to the “life and leadership” of the late Saudi king.
Saudi Arabia and the west: how a cosy relationship turned toxic Simon Tisdall reports on US-Saudi relations in post-Abdullah Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman unveils cabinet reshuffle A news report on King Salman’s cabinet reshuffle one week following the death of King Abdullah.
The Slaying of the Saudi Spider David Hearst writes on Prince Bandar bin Sultan’s loss of power under King Salman.
Saudi Kremlinology: what does King Salman's reshuffle mean for the future? Martin Chulov examines the implication of the cabinet reshuffle in Saudi Arabia.
An Emirati Rebellion Against Saudi Royal Orders? Duaa Sweidan argues that a small Emirati contingent at the funeral of King Abdullah shows Mohammed bin Zayed’s displeasure with the Sudairi coup.
After Abdullah: Can Saudi Arabia Reform Before It Is Too Late Juan Cole analyzes the prospect of reform in Saudi Arabia.
Media
Saudi Alarab TV channel halts hours after launch Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s new television channel stops broadcasting a few hours after its launch.
25 journalists attacked in Yemen by Houthi rebels Roy Greenslade writes on a report documenting attacks on twenty-five journalists in Yemen over the period of two days.
Freed journalist Peter Greste 'relieved' but 'angst' over jailed colleagues A news report on the release of one Al Jazeera journalist.
Jailed al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy could be freed within hours A news report on the possible release of a second Al Jazeera journalist.
Al Jazeera journalists given Egypt retrial date The trial of two Al Jazeera journalists will begin in mid February.
Human Rights
Qatar Can Still Take Lead on Migrant Worker Changes Human Rights Watch urges Qatari authorities to implement labor reforms to protect migrant workers.
Yemen: Drop Charges Against Baha’i Adherent Human Rights Watch calls upon the Yemeni government to drop charges against Hamed Mohammed bin Haydara.
Kuwait: Crackdown on Free Speech Human Rights Watch deplores the Kuwaiti government’s crackdown on free speech and the denaturalization of opponents.
Saudi Arabia: Pardons must not include conditions to silence activists Amnesty International says the pardoning of prisoners should not carry conditions.
Medical expert: Repeated floggings of Saudi Arabian blogger may cause long-term damage Amnesty International warns against the long term damage of the further flogging of Badawi.
Saudi Arabia: Women driving activists Maysaa Al-Amodi and Lujain Al-Hathlol remain in detention The Gulf Center for Human Rights reports on the ongoing detention of the two driving activists.
Kuwait: Arrest warrant issued against human rights defender Nawaf Al-Hendal The Gulf Center for Human Rights deplores the arrest warrant issued against Al-Hendal.
United Arab Emirates: GCHR website blocked in UAE The Gulf Center for Human Rights asserts that its website has been blocked in the United Arab Emirates.
Bahrain: Citizenship revoked of 72 people, including journalists and human rights defender The Gulf Center for Human Rights condemns Bahraini authorities’ denaturalization of seventy-two citizens.
Kuwait: Authorities continue to target human rights defenders The Gulf Center for Human Rights expresses concern over the charges against Mohammed Al-Ajmi and Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli.
Bahrain: Human rights defender Husain Radhi expecting a verdict for “illegal assembly” The Gulf Center for Human Rights reports on the upcoming sentencing of Husain Radhi.
Bahrain: 14-years old Mohammed al-Sawad risks losing his eye after being targeted for peaceful protest The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses concern over the Bahraini regime’s use of disproportionate force against peaceful protesters.
Bahrain: Arrest of Nine Internet Users Over Social Media Posts The Bahrain Center for Human Rights deplores the arrest of nine people on charges of misusing social media.