[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.comby Monday night of every week.]
Regional and International Relations
The Big Four in Saudi Arabia’s Government An overview of the major players in the kingdom.
Kuwait plans $100 Billion Sovereign Fund, Al-Anba Reports Amid falling oil prices, the Kuwaiti government will create a new state-owned wealth fund.
Taliban Reaffirms Authority of Its Qatar 'Political Office' Members of the Afghan Taliban will participate in an unofficial conflict resolution conference in Doha this week.
Could Iran become the next Dubai, an aviation superpower? Dubai’s reputation as hosting the world’s busiest airport may not last for long as Tehran looks to build its own name.
UAE issues warrants for men filmed dancing ‘outrageously’ in uniform Prosecutors accuse two men of insulting the UAE military in a video posted online.
US Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels The history of Saudi funded US military operations spans several decades.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman marks year of change - BBC News Major transformations have taken place over the past year of King Salman’s rule in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar, Russia agree to work together to help end war in Syria The leaders of the two states met this week in Russia and have agreed to find a “satisfactory solution” to the ongoing war in Syria.
Oman to speed up gas import plans from Iran post-sanctions With international sanctions lifted, Oman hopes for a streamlined process in their planned LNG pipeline project with Iran.
Oman said to be planning VAT “for mid-2017” Plans are not yet final for the implementation of the VAT, but they are well underway, says one Omani official.
Income, sales taxes proposed in Kuwait The government weighs options for possible income taxes in the coming years.
Gulf Arab states working on join missile defence The GCC will be unveiling plans for a regional missile defense system “soon,” official says.
Oil-rich Persian Gulf looks to renewables to avert water crisis If proposed targets for renewable energy sources are met, the GCC could reduce water consumption by sixteen percent.
Austerity, Saudi-style: cheap oil nudges Riyadh toward economic reform Signs of economic policy change are underway in Saudi Arabia.
Davos: One woman’s attempt to change Saudi Arabia A profile of financial analyst and fencer Rawan Albutairi.
Reports and Opinions
Chess is gloriously rebellious. Maybe that’s what Saudi Arabia’s mufti fears Stephen Moss provides a background on the history of chess and its relationship to politics in the Middle East.
2016 will bring a world of worry in Saudi Arabia, and not much calm elsewhere, either Of the six predictions on the state of affairs in 2016, three are tied to oil.
What Arabic media says about: the Iran-Saudi conflict Selected excerpts from pundits in the Arab media scene.
GCC economies face triple threat in 2016 How three factors in the global economy will impact the GCC in the coming year.
UN misses opportunity to pressure Qatar for Reform The UN, which has been more critical in previous years, took a softer approach following a recent visit to Qatar from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Crisis in Yemen
Caught on Camera, Saudi double-tap strikes on Dhahian Saada killed rescuers Yemen - YouTube Warning: This video contains raw graphic footage of air strikes in Yemen.
UN says access difficult to besieged Yemeni city of Taiz For the twenty-five thousand residents of Taiz, food and medical aid is in urgent need.
Yemen is now the world’s worst humanitarian crisis The devastation in Yemen continues as airstrikes and the blockade persist and the economy collapses.
David Cameron accused of silently taking Britain into Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen The UK Prime Minister responds to questions about involvement with Saudi Arabia.
Yemen: Africans cross into chaos Many refuges from Ethiopia and Somalia are still using the Horn of Africa to cross into Yemen, despite the ongoing conflict in the country.
Press freedom group calls for release of journalists abducted in Yemen Two journalists and their driver have disappeared in the western city of Taiz in Yemen.
Media silent as US-Backed Saudi Forces Starve Half Million Yemeni Children Mounting international pressure brought food to the Syrian town of Madaya. Why the same pressure is needed to bring food to the people of Yemen.
Human Rights
Uganda bans maids working in Saudi Arabia amid complaints of mistreatment Uganda is not the first country to stop workers from seeking employment in Saudi Arabia, but the ban comes after the two countries signed a deal earlier this year.
Bahrain accuses jailed opposition leader of incitement Ppposition leader currently serving time in prison in Bahrain, Ali Salman, has been charged with three additional offences.
Indian expat goes home – for first time – in 38 years A migrant worker who spent thirty-eight years undocumented returns home to India during a six-month amnesty period issued in Bahrain.
Dubai in United Arab Emirates a centre of human trafficking and prostitution The victims of sex trafficking in Dubai share their stories.
Bahrain’s Fake Human Rights Conference is Another PR Disaster Human rights conference in Bahrain is largely a charade, argues one writer.
Kuwait: New Cyber Crimes Law restricts free expression and targets online activists A coalition of human rights organizations has come together to express concerns over Kuwait’s latest attempts to restrict speech freedoms.
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