[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
What's behind falling oil prices Al Jazeera analyzes the reasons behind lower oil prices.
Qatari royals rush to Switzerland in nine planes after Emir breaks leg Former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is receiving medical treatment in Switzerland after reportedly breaking his leg.
Saudi Arabia reveals cuts plan to shrink $98bn budget deficit Saudi Arabia is running a substantial budget deficit amidst oil price declines and has announced a plan for budget cuts that includes subsidy reductions.
Construction of Railway Connecting Persian Gulf States to Begin in 2017 A regional railway connecting the Gulf states is set to commence construction in 2017.
At least 25 dead in hospital fire in Jazan Saudi Arabia A fire in the Jazan province of Saudi Arabia has resulted in the deaths of at least twenty-five individuals.
Aramco's Falih says Saudi can outlast others until oil market balances Saudi Aramco CEO Khaled al-Falih argues that Saudi Arabia is better positioned than other Gulf states to face lower oil prices.
Bahrain to hike prices of diesel, kerosene Bahrain has announced that the prices of both diesel fuel and kerosene will increase as part of subsidy cuts.
Gulf states are on a collision course with tax Saudi Arabia has boosted petrol prices from $0.17/liter to $0.24, in addition to reducing subsidies in goods such as water and electricity.
Saudi Arabia's big oil bet The risks that Saudi Arabia is taking by maintaining production levels despite lower oil prices.
Kuwait to send troops to Saudi for Yemen effort: Report Kuwait is dispatching troops to aid the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
The is a big moment for Saudi Arabia Michael Stevens argues that the country’s rulers must cope with conservative and liberal social forces.
Saudi Arabia stocks fall sharply on tax rises The Saudi stock exchange fell approximately three percent after the government announced new tax increases.
Squeezed by low oil prices Saudi Arabia cuts spending to shrink deficit Saudi Arabia is planning significant budget cuts due to reduced oil prices.
Gulf states endure oil price slump The reduction in oil prices has forced the governments of the Gulf states to make difficult choices regarding policies such as subsidies and public services.
Saudi rulers weigh political cost of tough economic reforms The Saudi government is attempting to assess how many budget or subsidy cuts it is politically possible to implement.
Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen: state news Saudi Arabia said that it has intercepted a missile filed from Yemeni territory.
Tens of thousands of new year air passengers expected in Dubai Dubai is expecting a significant influx in the number of passengers who travel through its airports this year.
US Defense Chief Ashton Carter Prods Gulf States to Take Larger Role in ISIS Fight US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter is encouraging the Gulf states to be more involved in battles against IS.
Reports and Opinions
The terrorists and demagogues want us to be scared. We mustn’t give in George Soros argues that terrorist groups such as ISIS engage in attacks to trigger the fear of death among Westerners, with the aim of provoking Muslims to support terrorism.
Gulf states are on a collision course with tax The Gulf states are facing a serious problem as they consider implementing taxation of their citizens in the face of lower oil prices.
Only Saudi Arabia can defeat ISIS Nawaf Obeid argues that Saudi Arabia is a leading opponent of IS, not a supporter.
How Qatar Is Funding al-Qaeda -- and Why That Could Help the US Riyadh Mohammad argues that the support by Qatar for terrorist groups may be a blessing in disguise for the United States if it can identify partners capable of defeating IS.
The Gulf States: a burning priority for ISIL Olivier Guietta discusses ISIS’s implied ambition of overthrowing the Gulf countries as well as potential attacks that might take place there.
Kuwait bourse sheds 18.75 pts volume flat-americana-gains-20-fils-viva-falls/ Kuwait has suffered recent declines in its stock exchange, this represents a significant decline in recent months.
Saudi Arabia seeks sectarianism in Yemen: Commentator PressTV argues that Saudi Arabia is contributing to sectarianism in Yemen.
Human Rights
Gay British man avoids extradition to Dubai British citizen Michael Halliday has avoided extradition to the United Arab Emirates after a judge ruled he faced torture because of his homosexuality.
Bahrain court sentences 29 people to 5-25 years jail for 2014 explosion - BNA Bahrain has handed down twenty-nine people sentences of between five and twenty-five years for participation in alleged attacks against police in 2014.
Human Rights Watch offers guidelines for builders in Gulf Human Rights Watch offered guidelines for employers in the Gulf intended to safeguard human rights of workers.
Saudi court reduces Sri Lankan woman's stoning sentences A Sri Lankan woman previously sentenced to death for adultery in Saudi Arabia had her sentence reduced from death to three years in prison.
Crisis in Yemen
Nigeria Seeks Extension Of Ceasefire In Yemen The Nigerian government is urging parties in the Yemeni conflict to come up with a solution.
Yemen rebels halt peace talks in Switzerland, set conditions Peace talks in Yemen were halted after Houthi rebels protested alleged ceasefire violations by the Saudi-led coalition.
Bahrain says 2 troops in Yemen coalition killed in Saudi Arabia Bahrain is reporting that two of its soldiers have been killed in the Yemeni conflict fighting against Houthi rebels.
Could the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen be fracturing? Sultan Barakat argues that the coalition backed by Saudi Arabia might be fracturing in the face of internal divisions.
Torn in two: Yemen divided BBC Correspondent Frank Gardner argues that the war in Yemen could extend well into 2016.
Yemen peace talks could save Gulf states from themselves The peace talks in Yemen have the potential to ensure that the Gulf states are able to resolve their internal disputes and dissensions.
Saudi, Blackwater forces killed in Yemen attacks PressTV claims that mercenaries fighting for Blackwater were killed in recent attacks in Yemen.