[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Arabian Peninsula from the past two weeks 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
One Man’s Quest to Prove Saudi Arabia Bankrolled 9/11“This New York lawyer says he has found a link between Saudi officials and the hijackers. The U.S. government refuses to do anything about it.”
Saudi Arabia praises U.S. missile strikes against Syria Saudi Arabia praised Donald Trump’s “courageous decision” to launch missile strikes against Syrian government military locations.
Theresa May hopes to set example of female potential in Saudi Arabia“PM says her trip to Arab state can send message about female leadership but stops short of criticising its equal rights approach.”
Iran not OK with Gen Raheel Sharif heading Islamic military alliance Iran expresses reservations regarding the appointment of a retired Pakistani general to head the Saudi Arabian-led alliance.
PM must help Saudi juveniles who face beheading Three teenagers face beheading for attending protests in Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain says Trump better understands Iran and the region“Sheikh Khaled said his country welcomed a decision by the White House to pursue a $5 billion sale to Bahrain of 19 Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft.”
Moment of Glory Comparisons of Iranian artists with Western artists in the media make it appear as if Iranians have made few unique contributions of their own.
Sudan and Saudi Arabia conduct joint air force drill Sudan is one of a number of countries involved in the war on Yemen and part of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.
Metropolitan Police are not investigating Saudi war crimes in Yemen, Downing Street insists“A Downing Street spokesperson has played down the significance of a report saying Scotland Yard is examining allegations of war crimes by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.”
If F1 can't help protect ordinary Bahrainis, stop the grand prix In 2011, the grand prix galvanized protesters from around the world to mobilize tens of thousands who called for its cancellation.
Asia's quiet superpower: Pakistan Army’s teetering balance between Saudi and Iran“Who will lead the Islamic NATO, a new Saudi-led, terrorist-fighting military alliance? None other than Pakistan’s General Raheel Sharif.”
The destruction of Mecca“Now that so much is gone, some Meccans are having second thoughts. ‘We’ve turned our past dating back to Abrahamic times into a petrol station.’”
Watch: Emirates mocks United following passenger scandal Emirates Airlines strike back at past comments made by United Airlines' CEO.
Wars in four countries have left 20 million people on the brink“About 20 million people live in hard-hit areas where harvests have failed and acute malnutrition rates are increasing, particularly among children.”
Arab Populists Also Blame Foreigners as Gulf Austerity Sets In“The angst against foreigners that’s sweeping the globe isn’t skipping the oil-rich Middle East.”
Is Aramco IPO Behind Saudi Eagerness For OPEC Cut Extension?“The Saudi government has already cut taxes on Aramco from 85 percent to 50 percent, a move to make the company even more attractive to investors.”
Britain sells arms to Saudi Arabia - then gives aid to its targets in Yemen“Some Aid does get into Yemen—including from Britain. But it has to overcome bombed bridges and roads which have been targeted by weapons sold by countries like Britain.”
UAE poll shows growing support for nuclear“When complete, the power station is expected to deliver up to a quarter of the UAE's electricity.”
Germany sells arms to UAE despite Yemen conflict The United Arab Emirates is involved in the war on Yemen that has caused famine and humanitarian disaster.
Reports and Opinions
Rapid currency depreciation and the decimation of Yemeni purchasing power The devaluation of Yemen’s rial would devastate the ability of Yemenis to buy food and other basic necessities.
MIDEAST DEBT-Hefty demand to keep Saudi Arabia’s debut dollar sukuk pricing in check – investors“Saudi Arabia plans to borrow between $10 billion and $15 billion internationally in 2017, a senior official said in December, as it tries to plug a budget deficit caused by lower oil prices.”
Formula 1 will land in Bahrain next week. Do we forget the country’s human rights abuses?“Human rights campaigners fear what the 2017 race might trigger.”
Saudi bombs are decimating Yemen. Yet May’s glad-handing goes on A draft resolution proposing a ceasefire in Yemen was vetoed by Saudi Arabia.
The Arab world needs to admit it's racist“The International Trade Union Confederation estimates that more than 4,000 low wage workers will die while building infrastructure for Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
Qatar slashes 2022 FIFA World Cup budget by 40% World Cup infrastructure is expected to cost between eight billion and ten billion dollars, with most of the expenses set for stadiums and training grounds.
Kuwait Is Best Off, Nigeria Worst in Fitch's 2017 Oil Break-Even“Only Kuwait, Qatar and the Republic of Congo have estimated break-evens that are below Fitch’s oil price forecast for this year.”
Saudi Arabia to build entertainment city near Riyadh“Jim Reid-Anderson, Six Flags chief executive, said later that the company aimed to build three parks in Saudi Arabia, each costing between $300m and $500m.”
3 UN Experts Call on Saudi Arabia to Halt Demolition of Al-Masora Neighborhood in Awamia“Experts called on Saudi Arabia to immediately halt the planned demolition of a 400-year-old walled neighbourhood in the village of Awamia.”
UAE: Clarify Role in Deadly Attack on Refugee Boat“The United Arab Emirates should clarify its role in the apparent Saudi-led coalition attack on a boat carrying Somali civilians off the western coast of Yemen, Human Rights Watch said.”
From Mozambique, via Qatar: Malaysia seizes $3.1 million worth of rhino horns at airport“The horns had been shipped to Malaysia via Doha, Qatar, on a Qatar Airways flight, using false documents.”
Saudi Arabia borrows $9 billion with first Islamic bond sale“Saudi Arabia has tapped international debt markets for just the second time in its history.”
Bahrain: Global leaders must speak out against human rights abuses Bahrain has intensified a wave of arrests and crackdown on journalists and human rights activists.
An Israeli in Bahrain“It was a great trip. Everybody I encountered was lovely, and really couldn’t have cared less that I was Israeli. And yes, they knew.”
The Case Of Dina Ali And Why Business Will Determine The Future For Women In Saudi Arabia Dina Ali was detained by the Philippines authorities until male relatives from Saudi Arabia could arrive, but up until now no one seems to know where Dina Ali is.
The Stories About Abu Dhabi That Are Rarely Told“The U.A.E. is so often reduced to a glitzy two-dimensional backdrop. A new book tells more complicated stories.”
Spanish firefighter refuses to ship arms to Saudi Arabia over Yemen ‘war crimes,’ may lose job“A Spanish firefighter could be suspended from work for up to four years after refusing to supervise a shipment of some 4,000 tons of munitions to Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia looks to recruit 100,000 Kenyans More than one third of Saudi Arabia’s total population of over thirty-one million are foreigners, mainly unskilled workers in the construction and service sectors from Asian countries.
Saudi Arabia to shelve infrastructure projects costing billions as cheap oil bites Last year, Saudi Arabia froze bonuses and reduced allowances for public sector employees and introduced a twenty percent cut to ministers’ salaries.
Crisis in Yemen
Europeans forgetting about Yemen famine because they don't feel it affects them, NGO director warns“‘Half the country is now suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition, and this is something that could have been prevented.’”
Army kills number of Saudi soldiers in Asir, Jizan, Najran Popular resistance forces attacked Saudi soldiers stationed in the regions of Asir, Jizan and Najran.
America’s Support for Saudi Arabia’s War on Yemen Must End“The savage war against Yemen, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and aided to a significant degree by American weapons and intelligence, shows no sign of letting up.”
Saving Yemen Questions raised as the Pakistani military deepens its involvement with Saudi Arabia’s coalition in the war on Yemen.
Saudi pilots get 60 percent pay rise as Yemen war rages“Air force officers to receive huge salary increase as Riyadh prosecutes air war in Yemen that has killed thousands.”
Mwatana: Dozens of Civilian Victims of Landmines Planted by Ansar Allah group (Houthis) and Saleh Forces in Yemen New report documenting civilian deaths and injuries caused by landmines.
Fear and despair in Yemen as life hangs by a thread In Yemen, helpless mothers watch their newborns die slowly from malnutrition and lack of basic medicine.
Yemen: "The war is taking a very high toll on the civilian population" An interview with MSF’s health adviser for Yemen.
Fire near sabotaged Yemen oil pipeline kills 13“Fire broke out because of the use of an electricity generator, leaving 13 dead and 26 others with burns, while eight people remain missing.”
US Provided Cover for the Saudi Starvation Strategy in Yemen“The US has provided the political-diplomatic cover that the Saudis need to carry out this ruthless endeavor without massive international blowback.”
Yemen police foil suicide attack on Aden checkpoint“Aden’s anti-terrorism squad documented its surveillance of the assailant as he approached his target on Saturday in the Tawahi district of the port city.”
Yemen’s worsening humanitarian crisis A major assault on Hodeida by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition is expected soon. Aid agencies warn the attack would be devastating for the majority of Yemenis.
Yemen Humanitarian Bulletin Issue“The conflict continues to claim children’s lives and their futures. Data shows that the number of children killed in conflict increased by 70 per cent.”
Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick,on the need to improve humanitarian access to Taizz City A first-hand impression of the humanitarian situation in Taiz.
Starving to death“Wars in four countries have left 20 million people on the brink.”
Five Sudanese soldiers killed in Yemen conflict In a rare acknowledgement of casualties suffered by the Sudanese army, a spokesman of the armed forces said five soldiers have been killed while fighting for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.
Mass protest demonstration against US-Saudi-paid mercenaries, collaborators On Sunday, Yemenis organized a demonstration in the capital Sanaa to protest the Saudi Arabia-led war on their country.
Rights group slams Yemen journalist's death sentence“The court in Sanaa, which is controlled by the Houthi insurgents, found Yahya al-Jubaihi guilty of spying for neighbouring Saudi Arabia on Thursday.”
Swapping class for Kalashnikovs: Yemen's teachers go to war Jamal Aidarows had to settle on one of the few jobs that still pays, becoming a soldier.
Millions in Yemen on brink of famine, situation ‘close to a breaking point,’ warns UN agency The World Food Programme is increasing its emergency operations in Yemen to provide urgently needed food aid to at least nine million people.
Trump considers military push in Yemen war. US lawmakers push back Major weapons requests were made for Saudi Arabia that included a surveillance systems, worth an estimated $525 million, and CH-47F Chinook helicopters, valued at $3.51 billion.
Hunger Strikers at UN Headquarters Call for End to Yemen War“A week-long vigil and hunger strike at United Nations headquarters in New York City to demand an end to the U.S.-backed, Saudi Arabia-led war in Yemen.”
UNHCR says death risk from starvation in Horn of Africa, Yemen, Nigeria growing, displacement already rising“This warning is in light of droughts that are also affecting many neighbouring countries.”
Trump Is Moving "Full Speed Ahead" in War in Yemen, Despite Massive Civilian Casualties“Last month, the U.S. reportedly launched more than 49 strikes across the country—more strikes than the U.S. has ever carried out in a single year in Yemen.”
More than 20 inmates escape in Yemen prison break“Gunmen demanding the release of detainees imprisoned without trial blocked roads and clashed with security forces.”
Instruments of Pain (I): Conflict and Famine in Yemen“The projected disaster is a direct consequence of decisions by all belligerents to weaponise the economy, coupled with indifference and at times a facilitating role played by the international community.”
Five Sudanese soldiers killed in Yemen conflict“Five Sudanese soldiers have been killed while fighting for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Houthi forces in Yemen.”
Human Rights
UAE Jails Economist: The Silence is Deafening Nasser Bin Ghaith is accused of crimes related to his online activities and posts about Egypt’s human rights abuses.
Rights Groups to F1: Cancel the Race if You Can’t Guarantee Safety“The GP returned in 2012, but has been an annual flashpoint for human rights abuses. In the same year, a father of five, Salah Abbas, was shot dead by police at the time of the race.”
Motor racing-Bahrain rights groups call for F1 race to be cancelled Zainab al-Khawaja condemned race organizers and the regime, saying: “While people are suffering every day, they want people on the outside to be seeing this race...and not all the images of people who are dying and being tortured."
Saudi Arabia executes three people for heroin smuggling“Saudi Arabia on Sunday executed three Pakistani nationals convicted of smuggling heroin, bringing the number of executions in the kingdom to 26 this year.”
Court of Appeals Adjourns Case of Sheikh Hassan Isa and Others until May 21 Bahrain's Appeals Court considered the case of Al-Wefaq leader Sheikh Hassan Isa, who is sentenced to ten years in prison.
Kuwait: Human rights defender Hadeel Buqrais and participants in “Walking for Her" campaign threatened The "Walking for Her" campaign was a peaceful march in solidarity with Saudi women.
Oman: Public Prosecution threatens Internet activists working in exile Omani authorities have not only strangled public freedoms inside the country but it is now attempting to silence voices active on the Internet from outside the country.
Video: UN Concerned about Trying Civilians in Military Courts, Calls for Holding Genuine Dialogue in Bahrain“The United Nations expressed concerns about a number of restrictions in place in Bahrain, notably on fundamental freedoms.”
US Congress Commission Urges Bahrain to Return Nabeel Rajab to Hospital to Receive Necessary Medical Care Nabeel Rajab was not given time to rest in hospital after recent surgery and was taken back to prison, which led to the rapid deterioration to his health.
Supreme Council for Women Backs Endeavors for Unified Family Law Despite Concerns of Shiites The majority of Shi‘a Muslims in Bahrain worry about the government's management of family affairs in the context of the regime's ongoing campaign targeting Shi‘i religious affairs.
Bahrain’s UPR National Report: A Response and Selected Assessments“Much like the government’s 2014 UPR midterm report, however, the information contained in the National Report is purposefully misleading, vague, and incomplete.”
Bahrain: Disastrous move towards patently unfair military trials of civilians“Another example of Bahrain’s efforts to dismantle access to justice and fair trial.”
Human rights campaigners call on F1 to cancel Bahrain Grand Prix and claim race is attempt to 'whitewash' abuses“Activists believe F1 would be complicit in abuses if race goes ahead.”
HRW: Saudi Arabia Should Investigate Transgender Woman’s Death“Saudi Arabia should investigate the death of a Pakistani transgender woman at a Riyadh police station”.
Suppressing Dissent and Sustaining Impunity - Torture in Bahrain 2015-2016 A new report by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights demonstrates Bahrain’s ongoing use of torture.
Bahraini Clerics: Diraz Siege Marks 300 Days A statement issued on Saturday by Bahraini clerics warned that "300 days have passed since the arbitrary siege through which multiple violations were committed."
Qatari royal family members used as leverage in Syrian population swap“The fates of 26 members of a Qatari royal hunting party held hostage for more than a year in Iraq were used to help negotiate a population swap in Syria.”
English PEN joins calls for the release of prominent writer and human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor PEN has expressed serious concern regarding the arbitrary detention of Ahmed Mansoor.
Saudi Arabia: Free Dina Ali Lasloom and repeal the Guardianship System“She is at risk of legal sanctions under the charge of ‘disobedience’ because of her attempt to escape from her guardian.”
Urgent Action: Bahrain: Help Free GCHR Founding Directors Nabeel Rajab and Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja as their health suffers behind bars Both men require urgent medical attention: Rajab is still recovering from surgery and Al-Khawaja is in danger of losing his eyesight.
HRW: Saudi Authorities Should Ensure Dina Lasloom Not Subjected to Violence Twenty-four-year-old Dina Ali Lasloom was forcefully returned to Saudi Arabia while in transit in the Philippines.
Bahraini Judiciary Sets April 30 Date for Wa’ad Final Hearing“Wa'ad is the third political society the ministry demands its dissolution. The ministry had already dissolved Amal society in 2013 and Al-Wefaq in 2016.”
Strict Security Measures at Diraz Entrances ahead of F1 Race“Bahraini security forces have intensified their measures, tightening the ongoing siege imposed on the village of Diraz since June 2016.”
Harassment against Shia in Bahrain Intensifies, Authorities Ban Memorial Ceremony of Top Shiite Cleric Bahraini security forces have summoned dozens of Shi‘a clerics and arrested many over charges of "illegal assembly" and "inciting hatred against the ruling system."
Amnesty Comments on Sheikh Ali Salman’s 4-Year Sentence: A Prisoner of Conscience, Should be Immediately Released Amnesty International called for the support of the Secretary General of Bahrain's main opposition party Al-Wefaq and for his immediate release.