Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (August 14)

[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

U.S. and Gulf Allies Pursue a Missile Shield Against Iranian Attack Thom Shanker writes on the challenges facing the success of the missile defense shield installed in the Gulf region by the US government and the Gulf states, in The New York Times.

Piercing Together a Regional Missile Defense A related list of the Gulf states' expenditure on arms deals to build the missile defense shield, in The New York Times.

Reports and Opinions

New Trends in Arab Defense Spending Raymond Barrett argues that the mass protests in the Gulf states are pushing "defense spending in a different direction towards an increased focus on Special Operations, electronic surveillance, cyber-security and the capability to suppress mass protests," in Al-Akhbar English.

Repression Begets Rebellion in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province Chris Zambelis provides an account to the under-reported protests in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.

Fouad al-Ibrahim: The Many Forms of Revolution A portrait of Saudi writer and activist Fouad al-Ibrahim on Al-Akhabar English.

Saudi Arabia plans new city for women workers only Caroline Davies reports on the Saudi government's plan to build a city dedicated exclusively to female workers, in The Guardian.

Saudi Arabia reverses ban on selling properties to Shiites Jumana al-Tamimi reports on the Saudi authorities' decision to annul a religious fatwa against the selling of real estate to Shiites.

Crisis in Yemen

US rejects criticism of Yemen drone strikes Geoff Dyer analyzes the statement issued by John Brennan, the White House counter-terrorism adviser, defending the US drone strikes in Yemen, in Financial Times.

Yemen's President Hadi restructures military A news report on the Yemeni President's move to restructure the army to curb the influence of his predecessor, on BBC.

Repression in Bahrain

US politicians urge Bahrain to free activist A news report on a letter signed by nineteen members of the American Congress demanding the release of Nabeel Rajab, on Al-Jazeera English.

Amnesty International

Oman: Intolerance of dissent mounts as a dozen more activists sentenced A statement issued by the Amnesty International condemning the prison sentences of twelve Omani activists and maintaining that it will consider them to be prisoners of conscience if they are sent to jail.

Saudi Arabia must charge or release detained dissident cleric A statement by Amnesty International calling upon the Saudi authorities to either release Sheik Nimr al-Nimr or to charge him with a recognizably criminal offense.

Bahrain must free prisoners of conscience after 'travesty of justice' A statement by Amnesty International condemning the continued imprisonment of thirteen Bahraini activists, including Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.

Market

Dubai jittery over business with Iran Camilla Hall examines the obstacles facing Emirati banks and energy companies in doing business with Iran after the New York state financial watchdog claimed Standard Chartered is hiding 250 billion dollars of contracts with Iran.  

Culture

An Occult Tale of Sexuality in Yemen Leah Caldwell analyzes Wajdi al-Ahdal's novel, A Land Without Jasmine, which "depicts the lives of Yemeni women under the ever-watching eyes of men," in Al-Akhbar English.


Arabic

قطر: أحلام كبيرة وقدرات محدودة (٢) من "الوساطة" إلى "الربيع العربي"
Mustafa el-Labad analyzes Qatar's ambitions and limitations in light of the Arab uprisings.

رماد الثورة الساكنة في "الخليج"
Ahmed Shehab reflects on activists' demands in Gulf states and the responses of their respective governments.

إلى متى سنتعايش مع الخوف المريض؟
Dr. Ali Mohamed Fakhro analyzes the different fears that have both besieged Gulf states for the last thirty years and dictated their oppressive policies.

الدراما التاريخية وكواليس الطائفية
Ali Jaafar al-Shraimi examines the Arab dramas and their sectarian politics.