[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
Saudi Arabia busts `Al-Qaeda cell` Saudi authorities announced that it uncovered an al-Qaeda group, consisting of fifty-nine Saudis, a Yemeni, a Pakistani, and a Palestinian.
Saudi blogger gets 10 years and 1,000 lashes A court in Jeddah re-sentences Raef Badawi to ten years in prison and one thousand lashes for insulting Islam.
Islam, Saudi and apostasy Mohamed Ghilan analyzes the implication of the new Saudi law that includes atheism under charges of terrorism in light of the different ways in which apostasy has been interpreted in Islam.
Top Saudi cleric condemns Boko Haram over kidnapping of schoolgirls Shaykh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh condemns Nigeria’s Boko Haram for the kidnapping of more than two hundred schoolgirls.
Repression in Bahrain
Prince Andrew praises Bahrain, island of torture Patrick Cockburn criticizes the Duke of York for agreeing to be a keynote speaker at a London conference that celebrates Bahrain as a place of religious freedom and tolerance.
Bahraini prince could be tried for torture in Britain Abbas Bu-Safwan examines the possibility that the Bahraini king’s son may be put behind bars following a verdict issued by a British court.
Bahrain jails six men to 25 years for terror acts A Bahraini court sentences six men to twenty-five years in jail in connection with an act of terror two years ago.
Bahrain Declaration promotes global dialogue for balanced human relations Habib Toumi reports on the three-day international conference held in Bahrain, which focused on the promotion of dialogue and common values.
Bahrain stresses inclusive national development Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa stresses that collaboration with allies is necessary to confront terrorism.
Crisis in Yemen
Struggling forces compete over Yemen`s future Saeed Al Batati examines the current political scene in Yemen.
Yemen drone strike ‘kills al-Qaeda militants’ in east At least six suspected al-Qaeda militants are killed in a drone strike in Wadi Abida
US embassy officers killed Yemeni civilians The New York Times reveals that a US lieutenant colonel and a CIA officer killed two Yemenis in a barbershop who allegedly attempted to kidnap them last month.
2 Yemenis Shot by Americans Are Linked to Qaeda Cell Eric Schmitt and Shuaib Almosawa report on the story of the death of two Yemeni civilians who were shot by two US officers.
In Yemen, a Counterterrorism Challenge Helene Cooper examines the US-Yemeni relations in light of the recent revelations that two US officers killed two civilians last month.
Suicide bomber kills 11 people in latest Yemen violence Mohammed Mukhashaf and Mohamed Ghobari report on a suicide bombing in Mukalla last Sunday.
Yemen army captures key Al-Qaeda stronghold Government forces captures al-Mafid, an important base of operations for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
Yemen soldiers killed near Sanaa presidential palace At least four soldiers died in a gun battle with militants outside the presidential palace.
Yemen attacks leave 15 people dead Eleven people are killed in an explosion at a military base in Mukalla, and three fighters are killed during an attack on a security checkpoint in Sanaa.
French security guard shot dead in Yemen A French security agent is killed and another one is seriously injured in Sanaa.
US closes Yemen embassy amid security fears The State Department decides to close the US embassy in Sanaa following “recent attacks against Western interests.”
Yemen`s main oil export pipeline blown up A news report on attacks on the main oil export pipeline and on electricity lines.
Yemen`s defense minister escapes al Qaeda assassination bid: security source Muhammad Nasir Ahmed and a number of senior security officials survived an assassination attempt.
After anti-Qaeda offensive, Yemen militants signal resilience Yara Bayoumy argues that the army counter-terrorism campaign has failed to weaken the power of the group, which has intensified its attacks on top government targets.
Yemen law on child brides and FGM offers hope of wider progress Suad Abu-Dayyeh writes on the imminent vote on Child Rights Act, which will ban child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Media
Health of Al Jazeera`s Elshamy is failing The doctor of the Al Jazeera Arabic journalist, who has been on a hunger strike for almost four months, warns that he may die within days.
Migrant Workers
Qatar urged to reform labour laws as World Cup nears Owen Gibson on the pressure exerted by the majority of the eighty-four countries speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Qatar to reform its labor laws.
Human Rights
Saudi Arabia - Human rights defender and editor Raef Badawi sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in addition to 1000 lashes and a fine of one million riyals The Gulf Center for Human Rights condemns the new sentence of the Saudi activist.
Raif Badawi Just the Latest Victim of Saudi Arabia’s Remorseless Assault on Free Expression Adam Coogle, from Human Rights Watch, describes Badawi’s new sentence as an assault of freedom of expression.
Qatar UN review: Crucial reforms needed to protect women and migrant workers Amnesty International urges the Qatari authorities to introduce reforms to protect migrant workers.
Bahrain: Judiciary Issues Harsh Sentences in Various Cases Neglecting Claims of Torture and Ill-Treatment Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its concerns over the increasingly harsh sentences of activists.
Health
Saudi Arabia reports more MERS deaths The ministry of health announces another thirteen deaths recently.
Saudi Arabia issues deadly Mers warning and tells all people handling camels to wear face masks and gloves Adam Withnall reports on a rare public health warning issued by the agriculture ministry in connection with the increase in MERS cases.
Arabic
اليمن | الجيش يعلن السيطرة على معاقل القاعدة
The Yemeni army announces that it captured al-Mafid, the main stronghold of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
اليمن | وزير الدفاع ينجو من محاولة اغتيال سادسة
The Yemeni minister of defense and a number of senior security officials survived an assassination attempt.
اليمن: مقتل 12 جندياً في هجوم انتحاري لالقاعدة
At least twelve Yemeni soldiers are killed in an al-Qaeda attack on a security checkpoint in Mukalla.
البحرين: ابن الملك متهم في... بريطانيا
Abbas Bu-Safwan examines the possibility that the Bahraini king’s son may be put behind bars following a verdict issued by a British court.
"القطيف: السجن لشابين بتهمة "إثارة الفتن
A Saudi court sentences two men to five and six years on charges of sedition in al-Qatif.
انقسام داخل الحكومة الألمانية حول تسليح السعودية وقطر
A news report on division within the German government over selling weapons to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
الإمارات: المحاكمة الأولى لخلية من تنظيم القاعدة
The trial of nine people accused of joining al-Qaeda begins in the United Arab Emirates.
الكتيبة الزرقاوية" في السعودية"
A news report on the establishment of The Zarqawi Cell in the Land of the Two Sanctuaries, a new militant group in Saudi Arabia whose target is the Shi`a population.
وزراء المال الخليجيون: إزالة العقبات أمام الوحدة الجمركية
Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council reach an agreement to remove obstacles for a unified customs system.
مصر | أثنى على السعودية والإمارات ووبّخ قطر وتركيا وتجاهل سوريا
Ahmed Jamal al-Din analyzes the views of Egypt`s presidential candidate, Abdul al-Fatah al-Sisi, toward the Gulf states, Turkey, and Syria.