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[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 Arabia, UAE and Egypt block access to Qatari-owned news website Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have blocked access to news website The New Arab.
Saudi Aramco I.P.O. Prospect Reflects Kingdom Looking Beyond OilThe New York Times analyzes the implications of a potential IPO of all or part of Saudi Aramco amid lower oil prices.
Saudi Arabia may sell part of its giant oil company Saudi Arabia is considering an IPO of state-owned oil firm Saudi Aramco.
Egypt to import 3m barrels of crude oil per month from Kuwait, contract to end in September Egypt has agreed to import three million barrels of oil from Kuwait in a contract lasting through September 2016.
Saudi Aramco privatisation plans shock oil sector Saudi Arabia’s plans to privatize all or part of Saudi Aramco have surprised many observers in the energy sector.
Saudi Aramco: the key facts Key facts about Saudi Aramco, probably the world’s most valuable company.
Saudi Arabia considers IPO for national oil group, Aramco Observers estimate that if Saudi Aramco goes public, its value will exceed one trillion dollars.
Saudi Arabia is considering an IPO of Aramco, probably the world’s most valuable companyThe Economist discusses the potential IPO of Saudi Aramco.
Transcript: Interview with Muhammad bin Salman Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman gave his first on the record interview to The Economist on 4 January.
In Saudi Aramco IPO, Global Refining Empire May Become the Prize One possibility for a Saudi Aramco IPO is listing the company’s downstream refining unit, while leaving the oilfields themselves under state ownership.
Threat to Saudi Arabia to evoke Pakistan response Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif pledged that Pakistan would defend Saudi territorial integrity after a meeting with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia v Iran: Riyadh defiant and angry after turbulent week According to Ian Black, public opinion in Riyadh appears to be supportive of the regime’s actions that provoked Iran.
Increasing tensions with Saudi Arabia bad news for Rouhani and reformist Iranians Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran may harm the political fortunes of Iranian reformists.
Saudi Arabia, Iran Say Dispute Won't Affect Syria Talks Both Saudi Arabia and Iran have said that their recent disputes will not affect negotiations regarding Syria.
U.S. to transfer al Qaeda suspect from Guantanamo to Kuwait The United States will transfer Guantanamo defendant Faez Mohammed al-Kandari to Kuwait.
Al-Sawaber complex in heart of Kuwait City faces demolition The Kuwaiti government plans to demolish the al-Sawaber apartment complex as some tenants have resisted relocation.
Health minister ready for quiz Kuwaiti Health Minister Ali al-Obaidi has said he is willing to face questions from MPs over a financial scandal.
Kuwait sees 3.9 billion dinar deficit in 2016 The Kuwaiti budget deficit is set to reach 3.9 billion dollars in 2016 due to lower oil prices.
Bahrain expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia The Bahraini regime expresses its support for Saudi Arabia in recent tensions with Iran following the execution of shaikh Nimr al-Nimr.
Oman adopts conservative approach in estimating non-oil income Oman is increasing several taxes and fees in response to fiscal challenges, but is conservative about its revenue potential.
Overhauling fuel subsidy will strengthen Oman’s fiscal stability, says expert Lubna Abdulatif says that fuel subsidies increase economic distortions facing the country.
Oman seeks $2.6bn foreign loan as budget deficit reaches $8.6bn Oman is seeking foreign loans to help bridge the gap between its financial needs and declining revenues.
Asian held with 103 liquor bottles An Asian man has been arrested in Kuwait with 103 bottles of liquor imported into the country, where liquor is illegal.
United Arab Emirates Downgrades Diplomatic Relations With Iran, Hours After Allies Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Sudan Sever Ties Completely Saudi Arabia’s allies have expressed solidarity in the recent crisis triggered by the execution of shaikh Nimr al-Nimr.
Reports and Opinions
Saudi Arabia Crumbles at Home, Struggles Abroad Daniel Williams argues that sectarianism in Saudi government policy is in fact an effort by the regime to distract from domestic economic and political issues.
A gulf between them: Understanding the Saudi-Iran dispute BBC discusses the background behind recent Saudi-Iranian tensions.
Saudi Arabia and Iran need each other Since Saudi Arabia’s founding in 1932, there have been three periods when diplomatic relations were severed between Tehran and Riyadh, but relations were eventually restored.
Some of Saudi Arabia’s executions understandable, says ex-UK ambassador Former UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sir John Jenkins argues that at least some executions by Saudi Arabia were understandable.
Time to start standing up to Saudi Arabia Bernard-Henri Levy argues that Western nations must be more willing to object to Saudi human rights violations.
The Saudi execution of a Shia cleric has deepened Islam's sectarian rift. Where does that leave the west? Emma Graham-Harrison analyzes the implications of Saudi Arabia’s execution of shaikh Nimr al-Nimr for the foreign policies of Western states.
Kuwait recalls ambassador from Iran as Saudi executions crisis widens Kuwait joins Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in recalling its ambassador from Iran.
Sunni allies join Saudi Arabia in severing diplomatic ties with Iran Saudi Arabia has been joined by Sudan, the Emirates, and Bahrain in cutting off diplomatic relations with Iran.
Saudi Arabia and Iran not natural enemies, says Saudi UN envoy – video The Saudi Arabian envoy to the United Nations tells a press conference that the kingdom and Iran are not “natural born enemies.”
Mohammad Javad Zarif: Saudi Arabia’s Reckless Extremism The Iranian foreign minister criticizes Saudi Arabia for escalating tensions between the two countries.
Saudi-Iran row: Kerry calls leaders to urge calm US Secretary of State John Kerry has held conversations with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman as well as the Saudi Arabian and Iranian foreign ministers in an attempt to reduce tensions.
Help and thank you for domestic workers A prominent Kuwaiti writes an article thanking domestic workers and advising them in the event that their rights are violated.
Saudi Arabia and Iran fight for Africa's loyalty Saudi Arabia and Iran are competing for influence among African nations.
Kuwait again slams attack on Saudi embassy in Iran Kuwait’s acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah criticized Iran for allowing the Saudi Embassy in Tehran to be stormed.
Bahrain: Clashes continue after Saudi execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Clashes in Bahrain between the government and opposition protesters continued following the execution of Saudi shaikh Nimr al-Nimr.
Oman must make efforts to retain expat workforce Saleh Sheybani writes that Oman must take steps to maintain its expatriate workforce, which is important to the country’s economic diversification.
Crisis in Yemen
Four patients among dead after explosion at hospital in Yemen Three staff members from Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and four patients are dead as a rocket hits an MSF hospital in the northern region of Saada.
Saudi Arabia's other humanitarian catastrophe Canadian media is occupied by an arms sale scandal, but Celina Langlois believes the real catastrophe is the human toll of the Yemeni conflict.
Saudi arms sales are in breach of international law, Britain is told A human rights group has criticized the UK government for selling arms to Saudi Arabia, which has used them in human rights violations.
Yemen Reverses Decision to Expel U.N. Rights Envoy Yemen has decided not to expel a visiting human rights envoy, George Abu-Zulof.
Yemen crisis: MSF-backed hospital hit by missile An MSF hospital has been hit by a missile potentially fired by Saudi forces, killing four patients and three doctors.
A young girl and a city struggling for life A photo was released that depicted a six-year-old girl in the besieged Yemeni city of Taiz who is being treated for life threatening injuries.
Human Rights
‘Regrettable’ is as far as our criticism of Saudi Arabia is allowed to go According to Robert Fisk, many Western critics of Saudi Arabia stop short of proper condemnation, using language reserved for misbehaving allies.
NGOs condemn death sentences in Bahrain after record year Several human rights NGOs have condemned the Bahraini regime for record numbers of recent death sentences.
Executions in Saudi Arabia and Iran – the numbers Iran executes a higher number of people than Saudi Arabia or any country except China according to George Arnett from the Guardian.
Raif Badawi supporters to give petition to Saudi embassy in London Supporters of Raif Badawi are planning to deliver petitions to the Saudi embassy in London.
MoI announces ‘amnesty’ for residency violators (UPDATED) The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry has announced plans for an amnesty for expatriate residents living in the country to legalize their status or leave while avoiding blacklisting.
Bahrain police fire tear gas, bird shot at protesters - witnesses Bahraini police have fired tear gas and bird shot at protesters rallying in response to Saudi Arabia’s execution of shaikh Nimr al-Nimr.
UAE releases 2 men who took ‘selfie’ in front of hotel fire The United Arab Emirates has released two Egyptian men who were arrested for cybercrime after photographing themselves in front of the burning Address Downtown tower.
Bahrain, Sri Lanka relations progressing steadily Bahrain and Sri Lanka are establishing a closer relationship, said the Bahraini Prime Minister.
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