Foreign Policy Media Roundup (January 2019)

[Secretary Pompeo Meets With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in New York City. Image via Creative Commons.] [Secretary Pompeo Meets With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in New York City. Image via Creative Commons.]

Foreign Policy Media Roundup (January 2019)

By : Foreign Policies Media Roundup Editors

[This is a monthly roundup of news articles and other materials related to other countries` foreign policies toward the Middle East. It does not reflect the views of the Foreign Policies Roundup Editors of Jadaliyya. You may send recommendations for inclusion in the Foreign Policies Media Roundup to info@jadaliyya.com, mentioning "Foreign Policies Roundup" in the subject line.] 

United States 


Pompeo says cooperation with Israel over Syria and Iran to continue
 (1 January 2019) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would continue to cooperate with Israel over Syria and in countering Iran in the Middle East, even as President Donald Trump plans to withdraw US troops from Syria.

Trump gives no timetable for Syria exit; wants to protect Kurds (2 January 2019) US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would get out of Syria slowly “over a period of time” and would protect the US-backed Kurdish fighters in the country as Washington draws down troops. 

Syrian Kurds seek Damascus deal regardless of U.S. moves (4 January 2019) Syrian Kurdish leaders announced that they aim to secure a Russian-mediated political deal with President Bashar al-Assad’s government regardless of US plans to withdraw from the region.

U.S. says they have yet to see credible version of Khashoggi’s killing from Saudis (4 January 2019) A senior State Department official stated that the United States does not believe the Saudi version of the October killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has “hit the threshold of credibility.”

U.S. says no timeline for Syria withdrawal as fighting continues (4 January 2019) A senior State Department official announced that the United States has no timeline to withdraw troops from Syria but does not plan to stay indefinitely.

Bolton says Turkey must not attack Kurdish fighters once U.S. leaves Syria (6 January 2019) White House National Security Advisor John Bolton added a new condition to the US withdrawal from Syria, stating that Turkey must agree to protect the United States’ Kurdish allies. 

White House says Trump position unchanged as Syria withdrawal plans slow (7 January 2019) The White House asserted that President Donald Trump had not changed his position on withdrawing US troops from Syria, a day after his national security advisor outlined conditions for a withdrawal that could take months.

Afghan Taliban cancel peace talks with U.S. citing “agenda disagreement” (8 January 2019) The Afghan Taliban announced that they had called off peace talks with US officials in Qatar due to an “agenda disagreement,” especially over the involvement of Afghan officials as well as a possible ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

Turkey’s Erdogan rebukes Trump’s top security advisor over Kurds in Syria (8 January 2019) Turkey’s President Erdogan rebuked Washington’s National Security Advisor John Bolton for demanding that his country not attack Kurdish fighters in Syria, accusing him of complicating President Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw US troops. 

Pompeo: Erdogan threats against Kurds will not stop Syria withdrawal (9 January 2019) The US troop withdrawal from Syria will not be thwarted despite Turkish threats against Washington’s Kurdish allies there, promising to ensure that the Kurds would still be protected.

Turkey says military operation in Syria not dependent on U.S. pull-out (10 January 2019) Ankara announced that Turkey’s planned military operation against the Kurds does not depend on an American withdrawal from the region, signaling Turkey remained undeterred by US efforts to protect its local partners.

Israel says U.S. blocks its sale of fighter jets to Croatia (10 January 2019) Israel will not be able to deliver to Croatia a dozen used F-16 fighter jets which Croatia decided to buy last year to modernize its force, due to Israel’s inability to get approval from the United States for the delivery. 

In Cairo, Pompeo blasts Obama’s Middle East policies (10 January 2019) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Barack Obama of sowing chaos by abandoning the Middle East to Islamist militants and Iranian influence in a blistering critique of the former president’s policies.

U.S. to host Iran-focused global meeting In Poland February 13-14 (11 January 2019) The United states plans to jointly host a global conference focused on the Middle East, particularly Iran, next month in Poland, according to the US State Department. 

U.S.-led coalition says it has started Syria withdrawal (11 January 2019) The U.S.-led coalition against the “Islamic State” has begun the process of withdrawing from Syria, indicating the start of a US pullout that has been clouded by mixed messages from Washington.

Urging Gulf States to heal rift, Pompeo lands in Riyadh (13 January 2019) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that a rift between Qatar and its Gulf Arab neighbors had gone too far for too long and was threatening regional unity needed to counter Iran.

Squabble over venue latest hurdle in Taliban-U.S. peace talks (14 January 2019) Efforts to negotiate a peace deal to end the seventeen-year war in Afghanistan, already beset by disagreements about the agenda, are facing a new hurdle over the venue for the talks. 

Taliban threatens to pull out of peace talks with U.S. (15 January 2019) The Taliban threatened to stall peace talks with the United States if they deflect from the issue of foreign force withdrawal from Afghanistan, a key demand of the Taliban to end the seventeen-year war.

Hours after U.S. troops killed in Syria, Pence says “Islamic State” defeated (16 January 2019) US Vice President Mike Pence stated that the “Islamic State” had been defeated, hours after Americans were killed in a northern Syria bomb attack claimed by the militant group.

NBA’s Kanter urges Trump to act on Turkey’s human rights record (17 January 2019) New York Knicks player Enes Kanter urged US President Donald Trump to be more vocal about human rights abuses in Turkey, after prosecutors in Istanbul requested the basketball player’s arrest and extradition over his alleged ties to a US-based cleric. 

Afghan Taliban reject talks with U.S. in Pakistan (19 January 2019) The Afghan Taliban rejected reports in the Pakistani media that they were prepared to resume meetings with US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Islamabad and repeated their refusal to deal directly with the Afghan government.

U.S. sanctions hit Iran-backed airlines, fighters in Syria (24 January 2019) The United States targeted two Iran-backed foreign fighter militias in Syria and two airlines that help send weapons to Syria in fresh sanctions as Washington prepares for a military withdrawal from the war-torn country.  

Taliban: Foreign troops to quit Afghanistan in 18 months under draft deal (26 January 2019) Taliban officials said US negotiators agreed on a draft peace pact setting out the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan within eighteen months, potentially ending the United States’ longest war.

U.S.: “Islamic State” to lose last bits of Syria territory “within weeks” (29 January 2019) Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan stated that the “Islamic State” is expected to lose its final bits of territory in Syria to US-backed forces within a couple of weeks, even as US intelligence assessed that the militant group would still pose a threat to the United States.

U.S. intelligence chief contradicts Trump on ISIS defeat (29 January 2019) Despite repeated claims by the Trump administration that ISIS has been defeated, US intelligence assesses that the terror group “very likely will continue to pursue external attacks from Iraq and Syria against regional and Western adversaries, including the United States,” according to the 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment.

U.S. will act if Turkish trade violates Venezuela sanctions, official says (31 January 2019) A senior US official announced that the United States is monitoring trade between its NATO ally Turkey and Venezuela and will take action if it judges any sanctions have been violated.

Western Europe 


Iran minister says E.U. trade arrangement moving slowly, talking to India, China
 (8 January 2019) Iran’s foreign minister announced that the European Union was moving slower than expected in facilitating non-dollar trade with Tehran to circumvent US sanctions, forcing it to explore avenues with other nations such as India and China.

Iran says it will reciprocate after E.U. sanctions Iran (9 January 2019) Iran announced that it would reciprocate after the European Union added two Iranian individuals and an Iranian intelligence unit to the bloc’s terrorist list.

Germany arrests Afghan dual national on suspicion of spying for Iran (15 January 2019) A fifty-year old Afghan-German dual national who worked for the German military was detained on suspicion of passing data to an Iranian intelligence agency, according to Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office. 

France condemns failed Iran satellite launch, urges halt to ballistics tests (16 January 2019) France condemned a failed Iranian satellite launch that the country said used technology applicable to long-range missiles and urged Tehran to stop all ballistic tests which are not in line with UN resolutions.

Iran “shooting itself in the foot” with spying, German diplomat warns (17 January 2019) German Diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger stated that Iran is harming Europe’s efforts to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with actions such as the case of suspected espionage involving a member of the German military.

Rheinmetall plans to sue Germany over Saudi arms embargo (20 January 2019) German weapons maker Rheinmetall plans to sue the government over its decision to stop all arms exports to Saudi Arabia after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Germany bans Iranian airline from its airspace after U.S. pressure (21 January 2019) Germany has revoked the license of an Iranian airline because it has been transporting military equipment and personnel to Syria and other Middle East war zones, after heavy US pressure on Berlin to act.

Assad blocks access to Damascus for E.U. envoys (22 January 2019) Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has revoked special visas for European Union diplomats and officials traveling regularly between Beirut and Damascus, complicating efforts to distribute aid to civil war victims.

Italy’s Salvini bashes France over Libya role in new diplomatic spat (22 January 2019) Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, stoking a war of words between Rome and Paris, stated that France did not want to bring calm to Libya because its energy interests there clashed with those of Italy.

Germany approves export of weapons systems to Qatar (24 January 2019) The German government has approved the export to Qatar four RAM missile systems developed by Germany and the United States.

E.U. adds Saudi Arabia to draft terrorism financing list (25 January 2019) The European Commission has reportedly added Saudi Arabia to an EU draft list of countries that pose a threat to the bloc because of lax controls against terrorism financing and money laundering.

Britain: Iraq must move away from economic reliance on Iran (27 January 2019) Britain’s foreign office minister for the Middle East announced that Iraq must wean itself off economic reliance on Iran and become more energy self-sufficient.

Macron: Egypt’s current rights record seen as worse than under Mubarak (27 January 2019) French President Emmanuel Macron stated that human rights in Egypt are perceived as worse now than under former strongman Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled by protests in 2011.

E.U. agency says Iran likely to step up cyber espionage (28 January 2019) The European Union digital security agency announced that Iran is likely to expand its cyber espionage activities as its relations with Western powers worsen.

Skirting U.S. sanctions, Europeans open new trade channel to Iran (31 January 2019) France, Germany, and Britain have opened a new channel for non-dollar trade with Iran to avert US sanctions, although diplomats say it is unlikely to allow for the big transactions that Tehran says it needs to keep a nuclear deal afloat.

Russia


Israel pledges no election meddling as speculation swirls over Russia
 (9 January 2019) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that there would be no meddling in Israel’s April election after state censors suppressed a speech by his domestic intelligence chief accusing a foreign power of planning to hack the vote. Israeli newspaper commentators speculated that he had pointed the finger at Russia, which Netanyahu’s own intelligence minister, Israel Katz, told local media last month could potentially want to replicate in Israel an alleged online influence campaign and email hacking to help Donald Trump win the US ballot in 2016.

Hamas leader’s January 15 trip to Moscow canceled (10 January 2019) A planned trip to Moscow by the leader of Hamas was canceled amid new friction between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank.

Russia says “arbitrary” Israeli air strikes on Syria must stop (23 January 2019) Russia announced that Israel should stop carrying out what Moscow called arbitrary air strikes on Syria, days after the Israeli air force targeted what Israel said were Iranian forces there. 

China


New Documents link Huawei to suspected front companies in Iran, Syria
 (8 January 2019) The US case against the chief financial officer of China’s Huawei Technologies, who was arrested in Canada last month, centers on the company’s suspected ties to two obscure companies. One is a telecom equipment seller that operated in Tehran; the other is that firm’s owner, a holding company registered in Mauritius.

U.S. official cautions Israel over Chinese investments (16 January 2019) A US official cautioned Israel over investments from China, citing cyber-security concerns and the prospect of Israel’s allies limiting intelligence-sharing with the country. 

Huawei calls for swift end to case of executive arrested in Canada (22 January 2019) China’s Huawei Technologies wants a quick resolution of the case of its former finance chief Meng Wanzhou, who is accused of violating US sanctions on Iran and has been detained in Canada.

China calls for harmony as it welcomes Qatar emir amid Gulf dispute (31 January 2019) Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a return to “unity and harmony” as he welcomed gas-rich Qatar’s emir to Beijing, amid a dispute that has seen some Arab states led by Saudi Arabia severing relations with Doha.

Other Countries/Middle East

 

Honduras to talk with Israel, U.S. on Jerusalem embassy (1 January 2019) Honduras will hold talks with Israel, joined by the United States, aimed at opening up an embassy in Jerusalem, as the small Central American nation looks to follow US President Donald Trump’s much-criticized move.

Philippine Airlines seeks Saudi overfly permit for direct route to Israel (2 January 2019) The Philippines has requested permission for its flag carrier to overfly Saudi Arabia en route to Israel, seeking to become the second airline to win such rights after a decades-long ban by Riyadh.

Netflix pulls comedy show episode in Saudi Arabia (2 January 2019) Netflix withdrew an episode of the comedy show “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” from its internet streaming service in Saudi Arabia after officials of the kingdom complained.

Saudi prosecutor seeks death penalties in Khashoggi case (3 January 2019) Saudi Arabian prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five of the eleven suspects detained over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as a Saudi court held a first hearing on the case.

Iran to send warships to the Atlantic, closer to U.S. waters (4 January 2019) The Iranian Navy announced that it will send warships to deploy in the Atlantic as the Islamic Republic seeks to increase the operating range of its naval forces to the backyard of the United States.

Syrian opposition urges countries not to reconcile with Assad (6 January 2019) Syria’s chief opposition negotiator, Nasr al-Hariri, stated that he was surprised by countries rebuilding ties with the Syrian government and urged them to reverse their decision.

Egypt’s Sisi acknowledges close coordination with Israel in Sinai (6 January 2019) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offered a rare acknowledgement of his close security cooperation with Israel in the Sinai Peninsula during a US television interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes.” 

Near Syrian border, Turkish defense minister vows operation when time is right (11 January 2019) Turkey’s defense minister pledged to wage a campaign against a US-backed Syrian Kurdish group, sharpening focus on a potential conflict the United States has sought to prevent.

Turkey’s military reinforces on border with Syria’s Idlib (12 January 2019) Turkish troops and tanks carried out military exercises on the border with Syria, while a monitoring group said a Turkish convoy had crossed the frontier into northern Syria. 

Israel claims Syria air strike, says hunt for Hezbollah tunnels over (13 January 2019) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Israel’s attack on what he called an Iranian arms cache in Syria, and said it had also completed a hunt for cross-border tunnels dug by Tehran-allied Lebanese Hizballah fighters.

Qatar sees no need to re-open embassy in Syria (14 January 2019) Qatar’s foreign minister stated that he saw no need to re-open an embassy in Damascus, nor any reason for a normalization of ties with the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Iran vows to keep military forces in Syria despite Israeli threats (16 January 2019) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), announced that Iran will keep its military forces in Syria, defying Israeli threats that they might be targeted if they do not leave the country.

Booming Qatar-Turkey trade to hit $2 billion for 2018 as Gulf rift drags on (17 January 2019) Trade between Qatar and Turkey is expected to have hit two billion dollars in 2018, up fifty-four percent from the previous year and underscoring Ankara’s solidified role as a top ally of Qatar amid a political rift in the Gulf region.

Divisions overshadow Lebanon’s Arab summit as few leaders come to Beirut (18 January 2019) Divisions among Arab states over Syria, and internal Lebanese disputes, have overshadowed a summit to be held in Beirut, with several leaders who had planned to come now staying away.

Israel and Chad revive diplomatic relations, call for closer security ties (20 January 2019) Israel confirmed a diplomatic rapprochement with Muslim-majority Chad as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a visit to the Chadian capital to stress their mutual interests in confronting Islamist insurgencies.

Saudi-led coalition’s planes pound Yemen’s capital (20 January 2019) Saudi-led forces launched overnight air strikes on Yemen’s capital, described by one resident as the worst in a year, as the United Nations struggles to implement a peace deal.

Morocco foreign minister backs dialogue on Syria’s return to Arab league (23 January 2019) Morocco softened its rhetoric on Syria, with its foreign minister signaling support for calls among some Arab states for a return of Damascus to the Arab League.

Saudis to Davos: Move on from Khashoggi, let’s do business (24 January 2019) Saudi Arabia has attempted to put the affair regarding killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi aside at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Turkey’s Erdogan wants Syria “safe zone” in place within months (25 January 2019) Turkey expects its allies to help set up a “safe zone” in Syria along the Turkish border within a few months, otherwise it will establish the zone alone, according to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Israel’s Netanyahu to eject foreign observers in flashpoint Hebron (28 January 2019) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would eject a foreign force set up to help safeguard Palestinians in a flashpoint city in the occupied West Bank, accusing observers of anti-Israeli activity. 

UAE used cyber “super-weapon” to spy on iPhones of foes (30 January 2019) A team of former US government intelligence operatives working for the United Arab Emirates allegedly hacked into the iPhones of activists, diplomats, and rival foreign leaders with the help of a sophisticated spying tool called Karma.

UAE: Saudi-led coalition ready to use “calibrated force” to push Yemen port deal (30 January 2019) A senior United Arab Emirates official stated that the Saudi-led coalition is prepared to use “calibrated force” to push the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement to withdraw from Yemen’s Hodeidah port city under a UN-sponsored deal.

Venezuela plans to fly central bank gold reserves to UAE (31 January 2019) A senior Venezuelan official stated that the country will sell five tons of gold from the central bank vaults to the United Arab Emirates in coming days in return for euros in cash as the crisis-stricken country seeks to stay solvent.

Treaties, Agreements, United Nations, and Statistics


U.N. calls on UAE to release rights activist Mansoor
 (4 January 2019) The UN human rights office announced that the United Arab Emirates must release pro-democracy campaigner Ahmed Mansoor, whose ten-year jail sentence for criticizing the government on social media was upheld this week.

U.N. watchdog seeks release of three relatives of Bahraini activist (9 January 2019) A United Nations human rights watchdog has called on Bahrain to release three relatives of a prominent exiled activist, describing their detention as an unlawful act of reprisal over their family connection.

U.N. struggles to implement deal over disputed Yemeni port city (9 January 2019) The guns have mostly fallen silent around the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, but a UN-sponsored deal for the warring armies to quit the city has stalled, risking efforts to end a conflict that has pushed the country to the brink of famine.

Human Rights Watch calls for sanctions against new Afghan defense minister (13 January 2019) International Rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged major donors to impose sanctions on Afghanistan’s newly appointed acting defense minister over alleged war crimes and human rights abuses.

Jordan agrees to host a U.N. sponsored Yemen meeting on prisoner swap (15 January 2019) Jordan agreed to a UN request to host a meeting between the Yemeni government and the Houthis to discuss a prisoner swap deal that would allow thousands of families to be reunited. 

U.N. delivers food for 9.5 million in Yemen last month, shy of target (15 January 2019) The UN food agency delivered emergency food and vouchers for over 9.5 million people in Yemen in December 2018, just shy of its ten million monthly target in the famine-threatened country.

U.N. Security Council approves up to 75 Yemen truce monitors (16 January 2019) The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved the deployment of up to seventy-five observers to Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah for six months to monitor a ceasefire and redeployment of forces by the warring parties.

U.N. expert to lead international inquiry into Khashoggi murder (24 January 2019) The United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary executions stated that she will travel to Turkey to head an “independent international inquiry” into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Rights groups, British MPs call for access to Saudi detainees (24 January 2019) Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called on Saudi Arabia to allow independent monitors to meet detainees, including women’s rights activists who were allegedly tortured, along with prominent figures held in an anti-corruption campaign.

U.N.: Fire damages vital wheat silos in Yemen’s Hodeidah (26 January 2019) The United Nations stated that wheat silos in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah have been damaged by a fire caused by a suspected mortar shelling, threatening food supplies for millions of hungry people.

U.N. may push back Libya election conference (31 January 2019) The United Nations is likely to delay a conference intended to prepare Libya for elections this year until there is more support from rival leaders.

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Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (April 26)

[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

Less than 5 percent of Saudi Aramco to be sold The Saudi company currently produces upward of ten million barrels a day and will now be available for trade in the Saudi stock market.

Oman sets out new 20-year tourism plan As oil revenues drop, Oman places renewed interest in tourism efforts.

Emirati ballerina Alia Al Neyadi has big plans for the UAE’s cultural scene A mother-daughter ballet team takes the stage by storm in an upcoming ballet production.

UAE pledges $4B to boost Egypt’s economy The newest investments signal the United Arab Emirates’ continued support for Egypt’s current regime.

GCC reiterates commitment to narcotic control policy The countries also reiterated their need for a death penalty for drug smuggling, which, if revoked, may encourage operations.

A 30-year-old prince`s bold vision for Saudi Arabia Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s agenda may be seen as overly ambitious, but Saudi Arabia may need drastic new policies to overcome debt.

FIFA Panel to Monitor Labor Conditions at Qatar Stadiums The new decision would give FIFA a stake in the health and safety of World Cup construction workers in Qatar.

A Respite of Soccer for Qatar’s Laborers Day laborers and construction workers get their own piece of the football dream in their Workers Cup tournament.

Consultants flock to Saudi Arabia for ‘mother of all transformation projects’ Economic consultant companies rack up huge profits as Saudi Arabia announces its reform plan, one report reveals.

The Short Century at Sharjah Art Museum highlights events that shaped the Arab world in the 20th century An upcoming art exhibit looks at the historical context of Arab art after World War I and just before the first Gulf War.

2016 World Press Freedom Index Reporters without Borders released their yearly ranking of press freedoms around the world, with poor ratings across the GCC. 

KUWAIT BECOMES FIRST COUNTRY TO COLLECT DNA SAMPLES FROM ALL CITIZENS AND VISITORS: REPORT Kuwait will begin the process of DNA testing at airports possibly later this year, and will include residents already within the country.

Kuwait lost up to $200m during oil strike The three-day strike forced the country to operate at much lower levels of oil production, and has since returned to pre-strike levels.

US State Department approves $260 million missile sale to Qatar Qatar’s latest arms acquisition includes 254 new missiles, though another deal for aircraft still awaits approval.

No jail time for Villaggio fire defendants, Qatar judge rules The defendants will only have to pay blood money to the relatives of the nineteen who passed away in the fire. 

Facebook most popular stock among investors in UAE, rest of GCC Stock investors recently released results for the GCC’s popular stocks, which also included Apple and Halliburton.

The war of words over who does Saudi Arabia`s housework Debates over housework in Saudi Arabia drag on, revived by arguments against impoverished Saudi women doing the work.

Saudi Arabia, 9/11, and what we know about the secret papers that could ignite a diplomatic war An argument wages in Washington over the possible declassification of documents that could establish direct ties between Saudi Arabia and 9/11 events.

Saudi Arabia agrees plans to move away from oil profits An overview of key points from Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision plan.
 

Reports and Opinions

Moving away from oil Months of low oil prices offer a perfect opportunity for GCC countries to undertake massive reforms in everything from economics to migration.

Sponsorship system One Kuwaiti columnist examines the benefits and disadvantages of the sponsorship system on foreign employment.

Saudi Arabia: The devil we know Fareed Zakaria’s editorial for a continued US alliance with Saudi Arabia.

WATCH: Fareed Zakaria And Reza Aslan Discuss Saudi Arabia’s Influence On Terrorism A new talk show explores the lives of the 9/11 hijackers and their ties to Saudi Arabia. 

How Obama is Benefiting Iran by the US-GCC Summit? One analyst looks at why Obama needs to balance the diplomatic and economic power of Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s Changing International Role Foreign policy experts discuss the nature of Saudi Arabia’s latest diplomatic endeavors.

Don’t Let Americans Sue Saudi Arabia A new congressional bill could threaten US relations with Saudi Arabia over 9/11 responsibilities.

Why Dubai Is a Perfect Setting for Grand Theft Auto A plea for Dubai to become the next location for a popular car-racing video game.
 

Crisis in Yemen 

As Saudis Continue Deadly Bombing of Yemen, Is Obama Trading Cluster Munitions for Riyadh`s Loyalty? One analyst questions American arms sales to Saudi Arabia and their deadly role in the war in Yemen.

AQAP Forced Out of Major Port City in Yemen A coalition of Saudi forces and Yemeni groups fought to push out AQAP from Mukalla.

Yemen Peace Effort Falters as Houthis Refuse to Attend Talks Initial days of Kuwait-held peace talks got off to a shaky start.

AL-QAEDA MILITANTS KILLED IN PUSH TO FREE YEMEN CITY 30 AQAP militants were killed in the latest attacks on Mukalla.

Canada should act quickly to provide aid for Yemen One researcher’s plea to provide humanitarian aid to Yemenis in their post-war recovery.

GCC, U.S. agree joint patrols to block Iran arms to Yemen: Zayani Iran denies sending weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Lawmakers launch bipartisan effort to restrict U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, citing war crimes in Yemen US congressmen speak out against US involvement in Saudi’s war in Yemen, and hope to pass legislation to prevent future arms sales.
 

Human Rights 

KSA calls on UN to stop politicizing human rights Saudi Arabia affirms the fact that the country already has measures to protect human rights violations, including mechanisms to prevent unlawful torture.

Saudi Arabia: Counter-terror court sentences human rights activist in relentless onslaught against civil society Amnesty International calls upon Saudi Arabia to release members of a human rights organization that fought for peaceful reform.

International Actors Still Do Not Hold Bahraini Government Accountable for Its Violations on Human Rights A factsheet on arrests and prison sentences of Bahraini citizens in 2015. 

U.S. prisoner in Bahrain says he has been freed via royal pardon The royal pardon also included the payment of a fee, in order for the dual citizen to be released from Bahraini police custody.

The Guggenheim Doesn’t Want Labor Activists Interfering With Its Luxurious Abu Dhabi Outpost Activists known as the Gulf Labor Coalition face routine suppression in the UAE, and calls for better labor policies at the Guggenheim’s new museum are largely ignored.

Arabic

انطلاق مفاوضات الكويت اليمنية: الفشل ليس خياراً!
تقرير عن بدء المفاوضات في الكويت بعد تأخير دام ثلاثة أيام.

اليمن: الحوثيون يشاركون في مباحثات السلام
وافق الحوثيون على الانضمام الى مباحثات السلام التي ترعاها الامم المتحدة في الكويت بعد تلقيهم ضمانات دولية بشأن وقف اطلاق النار. 

جولة واحدة في الكويت لا تكفي: درب المفاوضات طويل
لقمان عبدالله يؤكد ان مفاوضات الكويت ستكرس الهدنة بين الأطراف اليمنية وتعمل على مأسستها من خلال لجان اشراف دولي بينما سترحل القضايا الأساسية إلى جولات أخرى. 

المحادثات تسير ببطء: خلافٌ على الأولويات
الجلسة الثانية في مفاوضات الكويت تثبت وقف إطلاق النار الساري بينما لا تنبئ بتقريب يذكر في مواقف طرفي الصراع.

تركيا تجمّد أصول علي عبد الله صالح
أوردت الجريدة الرسمية التركية تجميد الاصول التي يملكها الرئيس اليمني السابق علي عبدالله صالح في تركيا، بموجب قرارات مجلس الامن الدولي. 

«البذخ» العسكري لم ينقذ السعودية في اليمن
تقرير عن تحقيق لوكالة “رويترز” عن الواقع السعودي الصعب في اليمن على الرغم من “البذخ” السعودي عبر صفقات التسلح. 

سيناريوهات للتراجع عن اتفاقية تيران وصنافير؟
مصادر مصرية تؤكد ل”الاخبار” ان الرئاسة تدرس سيناريوهات للتراجع عن اتفاقية ترسيم الحدود البحرية مع السعودية اذا تحرك الشارع المصري بصورة كبيرة.

مصر والسعودية: اتفاق مُجحٍف وشرعية تهتزّ
مصطفى اللباد يبحث تداعيات تنازل مصر عن جزيرتي تيران وصنافير للسعودية. 

بيان القمة الخليجية ـ الأميركية
لم يختلف بيان القمة الخليجية-الأميركية في الرياض عن مفردات القمة الإسلامية واحتلت إيران حيزاً كبيراً منه. 

أوباما يودِّع الخليجيين: عليكم بالإصلاح وكفى صراعاً مع إيران
الرئيس الأميركي سعى الى طمأنة دول الخليج وحثهم ضمنياً على المزيد من المشتريات للسلاح الأميركي.

هكذا تشتري «أرامكو» النفوذ لآل سعود
علي مراد يؤكد ان المال النفطي أنقذ الرياض كثيراً وخصوصاً العدوان الطويل على اليمن، إسقاط المحاكم الأميركية لدعاوى دفع الرياض تعويضات لعلائات صحايا هجمات ١١ ايلول، حماية أميركية مباشرة للنظام السعودي، وتصدير اسلحة أميركية متطورة إلى المملكة. 

السعودية وأوباما ولعنة «11 أيلول»
منير الخطيب يبحث زيارة أوباما للسعودية والصفحات السرية في تقرير اللجنة الخاصة بهجمات ١١ أيلول.

أوباما في الرياض: لا مصلحة لأحد في خوض نزاعٍ مع إيران
الرئيس الأميركي يتطرق الى العلاقة مع ايران خلال زيارته الى السعودية، موضحاً ان لا مصلحة لاي دولة في خوض صراع مع طهران. 

تركي الفيصل: لإعادة تقييم العلاقة مع واشنطن
آعتبر رئيس الاستخبارات السعودية السابق ان “الايام الخوالى” بين المملكة والولايات المتحدة انتهت إلى غير رجعة وانه يجب أن “يعاد تقييم” العلاقة بين البلدين. 

كارتر: واشنطن سرّعت وتيرة تعاونها العسكري مع الخليج
أعلن وزير الدفاع الأميركي ان بلاده سرعت منذ عام وتيرة تعاونها العسكري مع دول الخليج القلقة من التهديد الإيراني. 

مشروع قانون في الكونغرس يفرض قيوداً على تسليح السعودية
تقدم السيناتور الديموقراطي كريس مورفي والسيناتور الجمهوري راند بول بمشروع قانون يضع قيوداً على بيع صواريخ جو-أرض للسعودية.

زوجة رائف بدوي «تأمل» بعفو ملكي
أعلنت إنصاف حيدر، زوجة المدون السعودي رائف بدوي المسجون في السعودية منذ العام ٢٠١٢، انها ما زالت “تأمل” ان يعفو الملك سلمان عن زوجها.

أول قرض اجنبي للسعودية منذ 15 سنة
تعتزم السعودية اقتراض عشرة مليارات دولار من مصارف أجنبية لتغطية جانب من العجز في ماليتها العامة، جراء انخفاض اسعار النفط، في خطوة هي الاولى من نوعها منذ ١٥ سنة. 

الكويت: ضغوط تدفع عمال النفط إلى إنهاء إضرابهم
أنهى عمال النفط في الكويت إضرابهم، بعد ثلاثة أيام، بعد ان سارعت الحكومة إلى تحذيرهم من أنها لن تستجيب لأي مطالب تحت الضغظ.

الشيخ النمر في مرافعة الكرامة: حياتي ليست أهم من كرامتي
صحيفة “مرآة البحرين” ومركز “كيتوس” الثقافي يصدران كتاب الشيخ نمر النمر بعنوان “مرافعة كرامة.”

أيّ عُمرٍ بقيَ لقناة «الجزيرة»؟ 
محمد فارس جرادات يؤكد رحلة “الجزيرة” في الكهولة المبكرة بدأت منذ استقالة وضاح خنفر.