[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
Report: Saudis sent death-row inmates to fight Syria Michael Winter writes on a report claiming that the Saudi government sent death-row inmates from different nations to fight against the Syrian regime in exchange for commuting their sentences.
Saudi Arabia ratifies GCC security treaty Habib Toumi reports on Saudi Arabia’s ratification of the Gulf Cooperation Council security treaty, which aims to enhance cooperation among the Gulf states on issues of collective security.
Saudi princess Meshael Alayban: US ‘slavery’ case dropped The prosecutors in the state of California dropped charges of slavery against the Saudi princess for inability to corroborate the allegations against her.
Repression in Bahrain
Bahrain opposition no. 2 held for 30 days on charge of inciting terrorism The deputy leader of al-Wifaq movement, Khalil Marzouq, is investigated for inciting terrorism in his speeches.
Bahrain opposition to boycott national dialogue talks A news report on the decision of the main opposition groups to suspend their participation in the national dialogue following the arrest of Khalil Marzouq.
IAA denies Khalil Marzoop detention is political Habib Toumi report on a statement issued by the Information Affairs Authority dismissing allegations that Mazouq’s arrest was motivated by political reasons.
Crisis in Yemen
Gunmen kill Yemeni air force colonel in Sanaa: official A news report on the death of an air force officer.
Bomb attacks in Yemen kill 56 police, troops A news report on multiple attacks on military sites in Yemen, which killed fifty-six military and police personnel.
Yemen: aftermath of attack on military base – video Footage of the attacks on military sites in Yemen last week.
Seven killed in clashes with al Qaeda in Yemen: tribal sources A news report on clashes between tribesmen and suspected al-Qaeda militants in Marib province, which left seven people dead.
Yemeni journalists under attack despite progress – human rights report Roy Greenslade writes on the surge in attacks targeting journalists in Yemen despite the ease of media control under the government of President Hadi.
Former Yemen president slams south over federalism push Ali Abdullah Saleh criticizes the southerners’ demand for federalism, calling them treasonous.
Saudi women and the driving ban
Saudi women driving ban not part of sharia – morality police chief The head of Saudi Arabia’s morality police asserts that the ban on women driving is not mandated by any religious text.
Saudi religious police told not to arrest women drivers A news report on directions issued to the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice to the effect that the commission is not authorized to arrest women driving cars.
Saudi women plan to defy driving ban again Around six thousand people have signed Saudi women activists’ petition, “October 26, driving for women.”
Saudi morality police statement reignites debates on female driving ban A program on Al Jazeera America examines the reactions to the call for women to drive next month and to the statement made by the head of the morality police on the ban on women driving.
Human Rights Watch
Dispatches: US Thinks Arresting Peaceful Opposition is OK – in Bahrain, at Least Joe Stork provides a biting critique of the US government for failing to condemn the arrest of Khalil Marzouq and for criticizing the opposition for suspending its participation in the national dialogue.
Yemen: Protect Women’s Rights in the Constitution The organization urges the head of the Rights and Freedoms Working Group of the National Dialogue to protect women’s rights in the new constitution.
Yemen: Journalists Under Attack A statement deploring the rise in attacks on journalists under the government of Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.
‘I cannot live with my family anymore – my work puts them in danger’ Belkis Wille examines the challenges facing Yemeni journalists who fear for their family because of their reporting.
Migrant Workers
Give expats an opportunity to earn UAE citizenship Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi calls for a clear process of naturalization for long-term residents in the United Arab Emirates.
How many more must die for Qatar’s World Cup? Nick Cohen examines the abuse of migrant workers in the Gulf state.
Arabic
البحرين: اعتقال القيادي المعارض خليل مرزوق
A news report on the arrest of Khalil Marzouq, a leader of al-Wifaq Movement, on charges of inciting terror in Bahrain.
المعارضة البحرينية تعلق مشاركتها في الحوار الوطني بعد توقيف مرزوق
The Bahraini opposition suspends its participation in the national dialogue following the arrest of Khalil Marzoup.
التظاهرات تعم البحرين: سننتصر
A news report on demonstrations in Bahrain last week.
حزب الله يدين تصرفات السلطات في البحرين ضد المواطنين
Lebanon`s Hizballah condemns the Bahraini authorities` treatment of its citizens.
معارض: صراع على العرش السعودية متعب بن عبدالله وبن نايف يتطلعان إليه
A Saudi figure in the opposition, Sa`ad al-Faqih, speaks on the struggle over succession in Saudi Arabia.
ولي العهد السعودي: المراهنون على زعزعة استقرار المملكة خسرورا من الجولة الأولى
The Saudi crown prince asserted that those who hoped to destabilize the kingdom failed in their endeavor.
تهويد العدو في الخطاب الاعلامي السعودي
Madawi al-Rasheed examines the judaization of the enemy in the Saudi media.
إبعاد جنوبيين من الإمارات والسعودية
Hussein Sa`ad reports on the deportation by UAE and Saudi authorities of Lebanese nationals from south Lebanon.
الدور السعودي في اجهاض الثورات العربية
Said al-Shihabi analyzes the Saudi role in thwarting the Arab uprisings.
اليمن: مقتل 56 عسكرياً وصالح يعيد خلط الاوراق
Jamal Jubran writes on the killing of fifty-six military personnel in Yemen last week and the increasing influence of the former president.
ضربة عنيفة للأمن.. والحوار في اليمن: عشرات الضحايا العسكريين في شبوة
A news report on the death of fifty-six military and police personnel in Yemen in multiple attacks last week and the implication of this development for the political scene in the country.
اليمن: فريق الحكم الرشيد بمؤتمر الحوار يقر مبدأ العزل السياسي ضد صالح وكافة العاملين معه
Khalid al-Hamadi reports on the decision of the Good Governance Group of Yemen`s National Dialogue Conference to curb the former president`s political power.
انجاز الحوار اليمني يواجه عقدة عدد الاقاليم وموقف حزب علي عبدالله صالح
A news report on the prospects of the success of the National Dialogue in Yemen after the approval of the federal system for the country.
فوز قطر والإمارات بعضوية مجلس محافظي الوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية
A report examining the appointment of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as members of the International Atomic Energy Agency`s Board of Governors for 2013-2014.
تقارير كويتية عن تعديل وزاري متوقع عقب عودة جابر المبارك من نيويورك
A report on the speculations over an impending cabinet reshuffle in Kuwait.