[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 forces kill "wanted man" at Shi'ite district- newspaper“Activists posted pictures and video recordings of bulldozers on a street, cars on fire and walls covered in bullet-holes, and said security forces in armored vehicles were preventing medics reaching the area.”
Western envoys shun Qatar event attended by Sudan's Bashir“Three European diplomats who attended the event said they walked out before Bashir addressed the Doha Forum.”
UAE, a Key US Partner in Yemen, Implicated in Detainee Abuse“Given the reports of enforced disappearances and ill-treatment of detainees by forces under the UAE’s control, this is a very real concern for US officials involved in obtaining intelligence from UAE sources in Yemen.”
US approves $2bn missile sale to UAE“The US State Department has approved the possible sale of 160 missiles to the United Arab Emirates for an estimated $2bn.”
Rwanda: UAE Firm to Invest U.S.$50 Million in Kigali 'Smart City' Initiative“A United Arab Emirates based firm has committed to invest $50 million (about Rwf41 billion) in the recently launched Rwanda Smart City Master Plan.”
Location, Location, Location: UAE upping Somalia trade links amidst resurgent piracy threat“While the UAE, USA and others provide training to security forces in Somalia, there are some overlapping interests. A prime example is the UAE’s training of the Puntland Maritime Police Force, a proxy who also counters the smuggling of weapons to Houthi rebels across the sea in Yemen, thereby working in the UAE’s interests.”
Follow the money: 'UK ignores Yemeni slaughter as Riyadh spends more on British military equipment'“Britain's Defense Minister Sir Michael Fallon says Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself and call on its friends to help.”
Labour Party Promises to End UK Funding of US-Backed, Saudi-Led War Crimes in Yemen“The move would be a shift for the Labour Party, given its history of backing imperialist wars.”
Oil rises 2 percent after Saudi and Russia back longer supply cut“Some analysts said that U.S. production could still threaten to disrupt the market balance unless the cuts were deepened.”
Iran says not after tensions with Saudi Arabia“Qassemi said Iran is hopeful that Saudi Arabia would be ready for dialog with Iran in ‘a fair environment’.”
Saudi religious police’s new fieldwork strategy includes iPads, but no return to previous powers“The plan defined field members’ tasks, namely intensifying their presence in public places, communicating with the field supervisor, briefing him on all violations.”
Two dead in Saudi town ‘siege’ against Shia militants“Last month the UN accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to forcibly remove residents from Almosara without offering adequate resettlement options.”
Several reported killed as Saudi town enters fifth day of 'siege'“Saudi authorities have accused 'terrorists' of trying to jeopardise a project to renovate Awamiyah's historic Almosara neighbourhood."
Mohammed bin Zayed visits Trump ahead of US president’s trip to Saudi Arabia“Sheikh Mohammed’s visit is also an opportunity to show that the UAE plays a unique role for the US.”
Citigroup's Saudi Expansion Plans“Jay Collins, vice chairman of corporate and investment banking at Citigroup, discusses the company's expansion plans for Saudi Arabia and where he sees opportunity.”
BAE chair fails to confirm whether staff are loading bombs on to Saudi jets“BAE Systems repeatedly declined to say whether the company’s employees are loading bombs on to Saudi Tornado jets involved in the conflict in Yemen.”
Reports and Opinions
U.S. nears $100 billion arms deal for Saudi Arabia: White House official“[T]he arms package could end up surpassing more than $300 billion over a decade to help Saudi Arabia boost its defensive capabilities.”
Saudis to Boost U.S. Ties With $40 Billion Investment“Saudi Arabia is preparing to cement ties with President Donald Trump by committing to unprecedented investments in the U.S.”
Ministry of Awqaf Opens Largest Mosque in Scandinavia“The mosque, built by the State of Qatar at a cost of more than 3 million euros, is the largest one in the Scandinavian region.”
As Their Clout Wanes, Saudi Arabia and Russia Extend Oil Production Cuts“Analysts said that shale and other sources were likely to fill in whatever gaps OPEC production cuts created in the market.”
Trump and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman are the most dangerous men in the world – and they’re meeting next week“[T]he deputy crown prince will be primarily bidding for US backing for his confrontation with Iran.”
Trump ‘Servant’ of Allah, Saudi Cleric Says Before Visit“The comments received swift condemnation on social media.”
Saudis Mum on Whether Sudan’s President, Accused of War Crimes, Has Been Invited to Summit With Trump“Alyoum Altali, a Sudanese newspaper, quoted a presidential spokesman as saying that Bashir had received an invitation from Salman.”
In Senegal, Iran and Saudi Arabia vie for religious influence“But for Senegal, either influence would be a disruption. It's a society that has always leaned towards political moderation.”
Crisis in Yemen
Al-Qaida tempts Yemen recruits with quiz offering AK-47 as top prize“Militants have been touring the south-west city of Taiz in the build-up to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, putting up posters advertising the contest.”
Yemen's cholera outbreak kills 51 people in two weeks: WHO“Only a few medical facilities are still functioning and two-thirds of the population are without access to safe drinking water, the United Nations has said.”
Yemen: Increased Response Needed as Cholera Spreads“With the Yemeni health system severely weakened by war, MSF fears that health authorities alone will not be able to deal with the outbreak.”
How diplomacy failed in Yemen and why it will again“On May 11, key southern political leaders in Yemen declared a Transitional Political Council to represent the south in a step toward independence from the north.”
Southern Yemen leaders launch body seeking split from north The former governor of Aden declared the will to split in front of the flag of the former nation of South Yemen.
Cholera strikes Yemen's Sanaa; state of emergency called“The acute diarrhoeal disease, which can be fatal within hours if left untreated, has killed 115 people.”
Yemen | Task Force on Population Movement | TFPM 14th Report - Dashboard - May 2017“Food was reported as the top priority need among 76% of identified IDP locations and 49% of returnee locations.”
Two Sudanese soldiers killed in Yemen fighting against Houthis“Sudanese state news agency reported on Saturday that two Sudanese Army soldiers died while taking part in a Saudi-led military operation in Yemen.”
Attack on Yemeni city could overwhelm humanitarian capacity, warns UN migration agency“‘A minimum of 400,000 people will flee the city eastwards, once Al Hudaydah is under attack [adding to] the already desperate situation.’”
Human Rights
Eight UAE princesses to go on trial in Belgium over 'inhumane' treatment of servants“Shekha al-Nahyan and her seven daughters have been accused of smuggling employees without visas and leaving them without food or a bed.”
After Preventing its Representative from Entering Country: HRW Confirms that Manama shows Intolerance of HR Advocates“‘In recent years, Bahrain has denied entry to scores of human rights advocates and critical journalists.’”
Bahrain: First civilian case referred to military court“Fadhel Sayed Abbas Hasan Radhi was forcibly disappeared for over seven months.”
Oman: Authorities continue targeting freedom of expression“The Minster of Information issued another directive that has his signature in which he extended the closure of ‘Azamn’ newspaper to another three months.”
UAE: Emirati academic Dr. Nasser Bin Ghaith held in incommunicado detention after transfer to maximum-security prison“The UAE authorities must immediately disclose the fate and condition of Bin Ghaith, who began a hunger strike almost six weeks ago.”
URGENT ACTION: UAE: Authorities must release human rights defender Osama-Al-Najjar who remains in arbitrary detention despite serving his sentence“Al-Najjar was transferred from Al-Wathba Prison to Al-Razeen Prison, a maximum-security jail in the middle of the Abu Dhabi desert where dozens of activists are held.”
Saudi Arabia: King issues decree loosening some guardianship regulations, but women remain under control of men in most areas“Yet, two women are currently imprisoned under the Guardianship system.”
The Guy Who Saved Your iPhone From Hackers Is Stuck in a UAE Jail“It is deeply ironic that the UAE, a state which claims to be so excited about the opportunities technology brings, is so intent on throttling freedom of expression online.”
Royal Windsor Horse Show must "sever ties" with Bahraini king over executions and blackmail“The Royal Windsor Horse Show should sever ties with the Kingdom of Bahrain, say five rights groups.”
"Yet Another Sacrifice" - a letter from Maha al-Qahtani to her husband in jail Al Qahtani is a human rights advocate serving a ten-year prison sentence for calling for reforms in Saudi Arabia.