Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (December 18)

[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

From Manama to Gaza: Solidarity Between Bahrain and Palestine Yazan al-Saadi writes on a solidarity trip to Gaza paid by Bahraini medical officials in defiance of the alliance between the Bahraini government and Israel, on Al-Akhbar English.

Reports and Opinions

UAE ‘is a centre for creativity and innovation’ A news report on the inauguration of the third Annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit-Entrepreneurial Ventures of Arabia in Dubai, on Gulf News.

What is Qatar hiding? Mona Kareem argues Qatar is the Arab North Korea given the many hidden secrets regarding political life in the Gulf state, on al-Akhbar English.

Dubai, buy, buy: Gulf state starts to build again Loveday Morris examines the new building boom in Dubai within three years of the debt crisis, in The Independent.

The plight of Yemen’s ‘untouchables’ A media report on the prejudice against Black Yemenis, on Al-Jazeera English.

Fact Sheet: Center for Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism A fact sheet issued by the United States embassy in Abu Dhabi inaugurating the first international center for countering extremism in the Gulf state.

Tweeter and re-tweeter ‘equal in crime’: Lawyer A news report on legislation that criminalizes tweets and re-tweets that are seen in “violation of law,” in Kuwait Times.

Repression in Bahrain

Mahazza Village Still Under Siege A news report on the month-long siege of Mahazza in Sitra by the Interior Ministry, on Global Voices.

Bahrain minister plays down dialogue calls Bill Law writes on the Information Affairs Minister’s accusation of the opposition of “misusing” the Crown Prince’s call for a dialogue, on BBC.

Bahrain’s Shias: Getting back out there An article on the ongoing protests in Bahrain and the royal family’s fear of both their Sunni and Shia citizens, in The Economist.

Bahrain: A Return to Dialogue? Shahira Salloum argues changes in the regional and international support of the royal family are behind the Crown Prince’s calls for a national dialogue, on al-Akhbar English. 

“Scrutiny of the Ruling Family’s finances remains a secretive affair, an issue that is bound to strengthen the opposition to Al Khalifa rule” Marc Owen Jones examines the increasing wealth of Bahrain’s Al Khalifa since 1926, on Your Middle East.

Amnesty International

Bahrain must release activist after ‘hollow’ appeal verdict A statement by the organization condemning Nabeel Rajab’s two-year prison sentence.

Election in Kuwait

Kuwait forces bar protesters from parliament A news report on the non-violent protests against the new legislature inaugurated by the Kuwaiti emir, on Al-Jazeera English.

Misusing elections Omayma Abdel-Latif reflects on the implication of the election results for political life in Kuwait, on Al-Ahram Weekly.

Crisis in Yemen

Republican Guard Members Sentences in Yemen A news report on the prison sentences of ninety-three members of the Republican Guard, which is controlled by the former President’s son.

Whence Yemen’s violence? Nasser Arrabyee reflects on the conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-supported Islah party in Yemen, on Al-Ahram Weekly. 

A long road ahead for Yemeni women Atiaf Zaid Alwazir writes on the marginalization of women’s issues in the upcoming national dialogue, on Open Democracy.

A Bleak Future for Yemen’s Female Leaders Afrah Nasser reflects on the plight of Yemeni women, on Al-Akhbar English.

Markets

Jaguar Land Rover looks into Saudi car production Dan Milmo writes on the possibility of manufacturing JLR vehicles in Saudi Arabia, in The Guardian.

Arabic

البحرين ٢٠١٤: الإصلاح من طرف واحد... كلفة بلا مردود
Abbas Bousafwan writes on Bahraini activists' demands in the last twenty years.

أمير الكويت يفتتح البرلمان بهجوم على المعارضة
A news report on the inauguration of the newly elected parliament.

معارضون بحرينيون خسروا الجنسية.. ومستعدون للمزيد
A news report on the denaturalization of thirty-one Bahraini activists.

منظمات حقوقية تتهم قطر بقمع الحريات
A news report on human rights groups' concern over human rights abuses in Qatar.

مجلس التعاون الخليجي وقمته المنتظرة
Dr. Mohammad Saleh al-Musfir writes on the upcoming summit for the Gulf Cooperation Council.

السعودية: منطق "أحيا ويموت الوطن"
Dr. Maddawi al-Rasheed writes on the Saudi political system which is based on an alliance between the Saudi regime and the religious establishment to the exclusion of any popular representation.