[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
IMF chief calls for reforms in Gulf Amid low oil prices IMF Chief Christine Lagarde called on Gulf countries to consider economic reforms including budget cuts and subsidy reductions in response to lower oil prices.
Excess oil supply is at record high with three billion barrels on market, says IEA The IEA chief says that current oil oversupply stands at three billion barrels.
Bahrain
Bahrain: Milad Sentenced to Two Years for Expressing Opinion Bahraini opposition leader Majid Milad was sentenced to two years in prison for criticizing the Bahraini government in a small gathering.
Bahrain looks to manufacturing and finance in drive to diversify Bahraini MP Jasim Ali writes that Bahrain is attempting to diversify its economy in response to declining oil prices.
Bahrain jails 12 convicted bombers for life, revokes citizenship Bahrain sentenced twelve accused bombers it claims attacked police to prison, also stripping them of their citizenship.
Kuwait
US firms seek licenses to operate in Kuwait According to US Diplomat Jeff Hammond, more US companies are currently seeking to conduct business in Kuwait.
Kuwait forging ahead towards building an information society: PM Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah discussed Kuwaiti efforts to build an “information society.”
Oman
Oman leader Sultan Qaboos makes rare public appearance Sultan Qaboos of Oman made a rare public appearance, addressing the nation’s parliament after spending the previous months in Germany receiving medical treatment.
Oman Looks East According to Georgio Cafiero, Oman is increasingly seeking to improve its relations with China, which expand beyond simply oil purchases.
Qatar
Qatar's migrant workers say they are paid to fill stadiums before World Cup Qatari migrant workers report that they have been paid to attend football matches, with some even being given Qatari-style attire when they do so
Qatar adopts cultural diplomacy to combat "clash of ignorance" Qatari Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Jawam al-Kuwari discusses Qatar’s efforts at “cultural diplomacy”
'We will be ready, inshallah': inside Qatar's $200bn World Cup Qatari officials insist that the country will be ready to host the world cup in 2022.
Saudi Arabia
Briton who faced flogging in Saudi Arabia returns to UK British citizen Karl Andree is being allowed to return to the United Kingdom after being threatened with flogging when caught with alcohol.
Revealed: Saudi Arabia's manifesto for change in the face of rumours of coup plots Advisers to King Salman have released a manifesto calling for reform in many areas including economic reform and women’s rights, as well as access for human rights groups, although democracy was not mentioned.
Obama hosts King Salman ahead of G-20 summit US President Barack Obama met with Saudi King Salman at the G-20 summit held in Turkey.
Amid worsening relations, Saudi Arabia executes three Iranians Saudi Arabia has carried out death sentences on three Iranian citizens for alleged drug smuggling, worsening relations between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia submits climate pledge to UN deal Saudi Arabia has pledged to the United Nations that it will work to significantly reduce its carbon emissions.
Will the new cigarette price hike smoke out Saudi's nicotine addiction problem? Saudi Arabia recently introduced a new 10.5 percent tax increase on cigarettes in an attempt to reduce the country’s nicotine addiction problem. Saudis were active on social media both criticizing and supporting the decision.
The Saudis Are Stumbling. They May Take the Middle East with Them Collin Hallinan argues that Saudi Arabia is facing a difficult series of challenges, including declining oil prices, demographic challenges, and expensive foreign interventions.
United Arab Emirates
Brotherhood Activists Defiant Over 'UAE Pressure' on UK Activists in the Muslim Brotherhood accuse the UAE of using its financial influence to pressure the British government to crack down on their activities.
Oman/United Arab Emirates: Life of Omani blogger Muawiya Al-Rawahi in danger The Gulf Center for Human Rights criticizes the UAE for denying medication to Omani blogger Muawiya al-Rawahi.
Dubai stock market tumbles, raising spectre of second crisis The Dubai Stock Market has declined greatly recently, causing some analysts to speculate that it may be headed for a crash similar to the one in 2008.
Yemen
Saudi arms 'investigation' needed, says Philip Hammond British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said that the UK needs to investigate whether arms it sold to Saudi Arabia have been used in human rights violations in Yemen.
France should stop listening to Saudi Arabia about Syria Juan Cole argues that France needs to cease supporting Saudi policies in Syria and Yemen, because ISIS is a higher priority threat to France than to Saudi Arabia.