Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (July 31)

[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

Badar is Back Elliot Abrams writes on the appointment of Prince Bandar bin Sultan as the head of intelligence in the Kingdom and the prince's strong qualities, in The Weekly Standard.

The New Generation of Saudi Princes As'ad AbuKhalil argues that Prince Bandar bin Sultan's new appointment is "an important step in the gradual but steady transfer of power from the first generation of Saudi princes ... to the second generation," in Al-Akhbar English.

Saudi forces 'open fire' on protesters A news report on the security forces' response to the fresh protests in Qatif, on Al-Jazeera English.

Saudi minister says Shia cleric 'mentally ill' A news report on the Saudi Interior Minister's description of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as mentally unstable.

The Constitutional Court: A New Threat to Kuwaiti Democracy Mona Kareem writes on the Constitutional Court's political decisions.

UAE detains journalist bloggers Greenslade Blog provides the names of journalists and lawyers arrested between 16-19 July in the Gulf state, in The Guardian.

Crisis in Yemen

New Yemeni President: Blame Iran Jamal Jubran analyzes Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's attack on Iran for its alleged role in Yemen during a visit to the Military Academy in Sanaa.  

The Other Battle: Understanding Fighting in South Yemen Stephen W. Day criticizes the coverage of Yemen in the US news outlets, and offers a different account of the situation in the country, in Muftah.

Why is Yemen's food crisis off the world's humanitarian radar? Les Roopanarine explores the international indifference to the food crisis in Yemen, in The Guardian.

Arabic

دول مجلس التعاون امام استحقاقات الاصلاح
Dr. Said al-Shihabi argues that the Gulf Cooperation Council is in need of reforms in light of local and regional developments.

المرأة السعودية والاولمبياد
Dr. Madawi al-Rasheed reflects on the Western media coverage of Saudi women athletes vis-a-vis women's political movements in the Kingdom.

جاء زمن الجد: بندر!
Nahla al-Shahal dwells upon the character and achievements of Prince Bandar bin Sultan, and the implications of his appointment as the head of the intelligence agency.

عندما يأتي دور السعودية
Samir Karam reflects on the future of the US-Saudi relations in light of the changes in the region.

الجزيرة والعربية: فن احتقار العقول
Ala'a al-Lami provides a critical account of the two Gulf networks, Al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya.

قطر: أحلام كبيرة وقدرات محدودة
Mustafa al-Labad analyzes Qatar's ambitions and limitations.