[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.]
Reports and Opinions
Persian Gulf states ‘unable to protect themselves’ An article on the reliance of the six Arab Gulf states on Western countries for protection despite their high defense expenditure.
What next for the Gulf’s rulers-for-life? Jane Kinninmont examines the implication of the Qatari emir’s possible abdication for the rest of the monarchies in the region.
Kuwait sets date for elections A news report on the new election date after the emir dissolved the parliament recently.
UAE charges 30 over ‘Muslim Brotherhood ties’ The Gulf state charges a group of Egyptians and Emiratis for illegally establishing a branch of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood.
Shi‘ite man shot dead in Saudi Arabia A news report on the death of a nineteen-year-old man in Qatif with a stray bullet fired by police who were shooting at a person on a motorbike.
Five sentences over Doha mall fire A news report on the jail sentences over last year’s fire at a shopping mall, which left nineteen people dead.
Saudi Arabia beheads two Pakistani bank robbers A news report on the beheading of two Pakistani nationals in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia shifts weekend to Friday-Saturday King Abdulla issues a decree to change the weekend from Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday to bring the kingdom in line with its neighbors.
Succession in Qatar
Qatar's emir transfers power to son -- video A report detailing Sheikh Hamad's public announcement that leadership has been handed over to his son Tamim.
Qatari emir to transfer power to his son A news report on the Qatari emir’s announcement that he would abdicate and transfer power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Qatar readies new leadership, little policy change expected William Maclean and Sami Aboudi analyze the transfer of power in Qatar.
Qatar prepares for leadership handover Speculations over the imminent abdication of the emir and the resignation of the prime minister.
Qatari emir to meet ruling family members A news report on the Qatari emir’s call of a meeting of the royal family and prominent members of the Qatari society.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen market suicide bomber kills two in Saada A news report on a suicide bomber who blew himself up in a market.
Yemen’s displaced families yearn for home – video A media report on thousands of Yemenis who had to flee their homes in the Houthi-controlled areas of north-west Yemen.
Exploiting Yemen’s chaos Nasser Arrabyee writes on tribesmen in al-Jawf taking control of government buildings because of the corruption of the governor.
Elusive justice for Yemen’s revolutionaries Rebecca Murray reflects on the absence of justice for Yemeni detainees.
Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights
Bahrain: Joint Letter from the BCHR and BYSHR to the High Representative of the European Union Mohammed al-Maskati and Maryam al-Khawaja urge the European Union ministers to raise the question of human rights in Bahrain during their meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council states at the end of the month.
Bahrain: The head of BYSH is Facing Charges Related to illegal protests A statement by the organization condemning the charges against Mohammed al-Maskati.
Human Rights Watch
Saudi Arabia: 5-Year Sentence for Rights Defender The organization condemns the sentencing of Mikhlif al-Shammari to five years for “sowing discord.”
Human Rights record in Bahrain still abysmal – Europe must act Mariwan Hama calls upon the European Union to raise Bahrain’s human rights records during a meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council states at the end of the month.
Bahrain: New Associations Law Spells Repression A statement by the organization expressing concern over freedom of association in the Gulf state.
Yemen: UPR Submission June 2013 The Universal Periodic Review, issued by United Nations Human Rights, describes human rights conditions in Yemen and offers recommendations.
Culture
Book Review: After the Sheikhs Sami Halabi review of Christopher Davidson’s After the Sheikhs: The Coming Collapse of the Gulf Monarchies.
Arabic