[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
US-Saudi relationship status: It’s complicated Mark LeVine examines Saudi grievances over the US policy on Syria and Iran.
Saudi to reassess relations with US: report Bandar bin Sultan, head of the Saudi intelligence agency, asserts that there will be a “major shift” in the US-Saudi relations.
Trouble in US-Saudi relations Al-Jazeera English’s Inside Story dedicates an episode to the recent fallout between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Kerry holds urgent talks as US-Saudi rift deepens over Middle East policy Dan Roberts analyzes the US government’s efforts to alleviate Saudi misgivings about its policy in the Middle East.
Angry Over Syrian War, Saudi Fault U.S. Policy Ben Hubbard and Robert Worth provide an account of the rift between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Saudi Arabia won’t show the UN how it plays the game Nesrine Malik analyzes Saudi Arabia’s “cynical” foreign policy.
U.S.-Saudi diplomatic tension unlikely to fracture business ties Angus McDowall argues that the current rift in the US-Saudi relations will not harm their business relations or oil sales.
What Did the Qatari Minister Tell His Saudi Counterpart? Jean Aziz examines the exchange between the Saudi and Qatari foreign ministers over Syria.
Israel, Saudis speaking same language on Iran – Livni Jeffrey Heller reports on Tzipi Livni’s statement about Saudi Arabia and Israel sharing the same position on Iran.
Saudi Prince for Peace: A Lebanese Government of Our Choice Ibrahim al-Amin probes the Saudi role in shaping Lebanon’s government in order to pressure Hizbullah out of Syria.
Saudi Restores Libyan Spy Chief’s Role as Global Shadow Broker Nasser Sharara examines Bandar bin Sultan`s move to enlist Moussa Koussa, head of the intelligence agency under Muammar al-Gaddafi, in the service of the kingdom and its intelligence operations in many parts of the world.
Reports and Opinions
300,000 accidents cost 30b riyals a year in Saudi Arabia Habib Toumi reports on the number of annual car accidents in the kingdom and the efforts to improve traffic safety.
Kuwait: Chicken Soup With the Emir Haifaa Abbasi writes on reactions to a video of the Kuwaiti emir having chicken soup with a bottle of alcohol spotted on the table.
Repression in Bahrain
Bahrain Just Bought More Tear Gas Canisters Than It Has Citizens John Lubbock reports on Bahrain’s purchases of gas canisters to use against its citizens.
Bahrain defends use of teargas following criticism Mahmoud Habboush writes on the Bahraini government’s response to criticism over its use of teargas against its people.
Bahraini court temporarily releases Shi’ite opposition leader A news report on the release of Khalil al-Marzouq, who is charged with inciting terrorism.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen’s War of Assassinations Unearthed Jamal Jubran reflects on the widespread targeting of intelligence and police personnel in Yemen.
Gunmen Kill Yemeni colonel in capital: security official A news report on the assassination of a Yemeni intelligence service officer in Sanaa.
US drone strike killings in Pakistan and Yemen ‘unlawful’ Amnesty International describes US drone strikes in Yemen and Pakistan as war crimes.
No more foreign wars? Yet America is fighting in Yemen’s civil war Ryan Goodman writes on the US forces’ operations alongside the Yemen army against a domestic insurgency.
Blessing in disguise: End of Saudi aid to Yemen Abubakr al-Shamahi argues the Saudi decision to suspend its aid to its neighbor is an opportunity for Yemen to gain independence from the kingdom’s influence.
Saudi Women’s Driving Campaign
No Woman, No Drive Hisham Fageeh releases a song in support of women’s driving campaign.
Saudi women defy driving ban Mohammed Jamjoom interviews Saudi activists campaigning for women’s right to drive.
Forbidden to Drive: A Saudi Woman On Life Inside the Kingdom Jasmine Bager describes Saudi women’s lives in the kingdom and the latest campaign to defy the ban on women driving.
Saudi government warns driving ban activists A news report on the reaction of the Saudi authorities to women’s campaign to defy the ban on women driving.
Saudi activists cancel women ‘drive-in’ plan Activists reluctantly cancel the driving campaign, which was planned on 26 October, following warnings issued by the interior ministry.
Dozens of Saudi Arabian women drive cars on day of protest against ban A news report on sixty women who defied the ban on driving despite the Saudi government’s warnings.
Human Rights Watch
Saudi Arabia: End Driving Ban for Women The organization urges the Saudi authorities to allow women to drive.
“Between a Drone and Al-Qaeda” A report investigating six US airstrikes in Yemen between 2009-2013.
US: Reassess Targeted Killings in Yemen The organization argues that the US drone strikes in Yemen constitute a violation of international law.
Migrant Workers
Abu Dhabi wants expats for police jobs Anjana Sankar reports on the emirate’s intention to recruit expats living in Abu Dhabi to its police team.
Rights group probes Saudi abuse video A Saudi rights group posts a video of a man dressed in the Saudi traditional white cloak beating up an Asian worker.
Arabic
الرياض "رهينة" الثنائي بندر - الفيصل
Yahya Harb argues that Saudi Arabia`s foreign policy is determined by two hawkish princes, namely Prince Bandar bin Sultan, head of the intelligence agency, and Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the foreign minister.
الرياض وواشنطن: تباين ينفجر خلافاً
Mohammed Ballout examines the tense relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States over issues related to Syria, Iran, and the security of the kingdom.
السمو السعودي من بيشاور إلى القلمون
Khalil Harb unravels Saudi Arabia`s flimsy excuse to turn down the non-permanent seat in the United Nation Security Council.
الرياض تنتقد واشنطن: ثورة غضب مؤقتة
A news article on Saudi Arabia`s temporary anger with Washington.
عبدالله الثاني في جدة ضبط التحالف الأردني السعودي الإماراتي؟
Nahid Hatter analyzes the Jordanian king`s visit to Saudi Arabia vis-a-vis Jordan`s difficult position after the deterioration of the relations between its allies, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
بهدوء | هل قررت السعودية قطع التواصل الأردني العراقي؟
Nahid Hatter reports on the symbolic significance of the explosion that targeted a bridge linking Iraq and Jordan, and on the role of Saudi Arabia in this development.
السعودية | بندر يعيد إنتاج دور موسى كوسى كرجل صفقات أمنية دولية
Nasser Sharara examines Bandar bin Sultan`s move to enlist Moussa Koussa, head of the intelligence agency under Muammar al-Gaddafi, in the service of the kingdom and its intelligence operations around the world.
بندر بن سلطان ابلغ دبلوماسيين اوروبيين بان السعودية ستحد من تعاملاتها مع واشنطن بسبب سورية وايران
Prince Bandar bin Sultan informs European diplomats that Saudi Arabia will limit its transactions with the United States.
البيت الابيض يسعى للحد من آثار التوترات مع السعودية
A news report on the efforts of the White House to alleviate the tension with Saudi Arabia.
هل هو `ربيع` سعودي قادم؟
Mita` Safadi wonders if Saudi Arabia`s recent friction with Washington can translate into the kingdom`s economic and security independence from the United States.
السعودية والكويت ومجلس الأمن
Mustafa al-Labad writes on speculations in the United Nations regarding Kuwait`s desire to take up the non-permanent seat in the Security Council, which Saudi Arabia has turned down.
يوم قطع رأس عبدالله… وباد ملك آل سعود
Ja`afar al-Bakli writes on the demise of the first Saudi state in 1818 with the beheading of Abdulla bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, the last ruler of the first state.
نفوذ السعودية وانتهاكات حقوق الانسان
An editorial on Saudi Arabia`s records of human rights violations.
قيادة 26 أكتوبر
Mariam Tarhini provides an account of Saudi women`s campaign to drive.
الداعية محمد العريفي يعيد بث تغريدات ترفض قيادة السعوديات للسيارة
Mohammed al-Arifi, a Saudi preacher, tweets against women`s right to drive in Saudi Arabia.
السعودية | السلطة تقمع محاولة سعوديات قيادة السيارات
A news report on the Saudi authorities` suppression of women`s efforts to drive.
"قاعدة" اليمن "قواعد"
Fari` al-Muslimi writes on al-Qaeda`s splinter groups in Yemen.
حرب اغتيالات في اليمن
Jamal Jubran reflects on the war of assassinations targeting intelligence and police personnel in Yemen.
تنظيم القاعدة يتبنى عمليات اغتيال استهدفت ضباطا يمنيين في الجيش والشرطة
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula takes responsibility for the assassination of Yemeni officers in the army and police.
البحرين: الآلاف يتظاهرون في البديع
A news report on thousands of protesters marching in the Bahraini capital, demanding political reform and an end to corruption.
البحرين: أحكام ممنهجة لتبرئة قتلة المتظاهرين
Bahrain`s Court of Appeal reduces the prison sentence of the policeman who killed the first casualty in the 2011 uprising from seven to three years.
البحرين: خطاب ملكي يذكر بالإصلاحات
A news report on the Bahraini king`s recent speech, which celebrated political reform under his rule.
دول الخليج: البحث عن صديق
Nawaf Abu el-Haja discusses the rapprochement between the Gulf states and Israel following the US-Iranian talks.