[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
Saudis Expand Regional Power as Others Falter David Kirkpatrick examines Saudi Arabia’s regional politics.
US charges Yemenis over alleged murder plot Saudi Arabia arrests and extradites two Yemeni nationals accused of attacking US troops.
Regime collapse threatens Yemen's key role in US counter-terrorism strategy Martin Chulov, Alan Yuhas, and Spence Ackerman analyze the implications of the power vacuum in Yemen for the US war on terror.
White House 'strongly condemns' unrest in Yemen as violence escalates Spencer Ackerman reflects on Washington’s reactions to political developments in Yemen.
Yemen crisis: Chaos is security nightmare for US Frank Gardner analyzes Washington’s worry over the turn of events in Yemen.
Unrest in Yemen stymies Obama plan to transfer Guantánamo detainees A news report on the challenges facing Barack Obama’s efforts to close Guantanamo after a ban on transferring detainees to Yemen was reinstated.
Reports and Opinions
Planned flogging of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi postponed again The Saudi authorities decide to postpone the flogging of Raif Badawi for the second time.
Ministry of Justice bids for contract with Saudi prison service Emma Graham-Harrison and David Batty write on the efforts of the British ministry of justice to profit from selling its expertise to the prison service in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Beheads Child Rapist, Marking 13th Execution of 2015 A news report on the latest beheading in Saudi Arabia.
Repression in Bahrain
Nabeel Rajab: Bahrain activist sentenced for tweet A Bahraini court sentences Nabeel Rajab for six months in prison.
Bahrain’s main opposition leader accused of plotting coup Ali Salman will appear before a court on charges of plotting a coup tomorrow.
The Bahraini Uprising, 4 Years Later Alan Taylor writes on the fourth anniversary of the Bahraini uprising.
Crisis in Yemen
Yemen crisis: President ‘reaches deal’ with rebels The embattled president tries to reach a peace deal with the Houthis who are controlling key institutions in Sanaa.
Houthi fighters surround Yemen PM's palace The Houthis surround the house of the prime minister after he escaped an attack on his convoy.
Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels shell presidential home A news report on the Houthis’ move to control key points in Sanaa.
Houthis take over Yemen presidential palace The Houthis take control of the presidential palace.
Yemen state news agency and TV station seized by Shia Houthi rebels Hakim Almasmari and Martin Chulov report on the Houthis’ seizure of the state news agency and TV station.
Yemen crisis: President resigns as rebels tighten hold A news report on the resignation of the Yemeni president.
Yemen's president resigns: He’s Hadi enough An Economist article on the resignation of the Yemeni president.
Houthi fighters on alert as Yemen power vacuum emerges The Houthis are on alert following the resignation of the Yemeni president.
Thousands march against Houthi faction in Yemen Chris Johnston reports on protests against the Houthis in Sanaa.
Yemen civilians caught in the crossfire A news report on the impact of current events on civilians.
Yemen: understanding Houthi motives is complicated but essential Ian Black argues that the Houthis are a more important player in Yemen’s affairs than al-Qa‘ida militants.
Yemen Internal Talks Grind to a Halt amid Heightened Political Crisis An update on the political situation in Yemen following power vacuum.
Shifting Alliances Play Out Behind Closed Doors in Yemen Mona El-Naggar examines the efforts in Yemen to find a solution to the political vacuum in the country.
How Al Qaeda’s Biggest Enemy Took Over Yemen (and Why the U.S. Government Is Unlikely to Support Them) Casey L. Coombs and Jeremy Scahill analyze the significance of the Houthis’ control of Sanaa.
A Coup in Yemen? Jeremy Scahill & Iona Craig on Rebel Offensive to Seize Power, Saudi Role & AQAP Amy Goodman interviews Jeremy Scahill and Iona Craig on the recent developments in Yemen.
Death of King Abdullah: Obituaries, Oil, and Succession
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz dies A news report on the death of King Abdullah.
Who is the new Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud? Matthew Weaver provides a profile of King Salman.
Analysis: Saudi Arabia's smooth transition Mansour Almarzoqi reports on the smooth transition of power in Saudi Arabia.
The question of succession in Saudi Arabia Ismaeel Naar examines the issue of succession in Saudi Arabia.
Royal Grandson Mohammed bin Nayef: A King in Waiting A news report on the new Saudi deputy crown prince.
King Salman’s appointments signal change ahead in Saudi Arabia Ian Black writes on the implications of the selection of Muhammad bin Nayef and Prince Mohammed for key roles.
A Saudi Palace Coup David Hearst writes on the rise of the Sudairi wing within the Saudi ruling family to prominence again hours after the death of King Abdullah.
Saudi Arabia: A Time for a Ruthless Reckoning Fouad Ibarahim argues that King Salman’s new decrees, which were declared as soon as King Abdullah was buried, constitute a revenge on the late king’s legacy.
Saudi Arabia’s Succession Line Is Set, but the Nation’s Path Remains Uncertain Ben Hubbard maintains that though succession is settled for now, the kingdom faces profound internal pressure.
The regional impacts of Saudi succession Lina Khatib argues that the current succession is not the most crucial one for Saudi foreign policy, but the one to follow is.
Saudi Arabia’s monarchy: The king is dead An Economist article on the Middle East after the death of King Abdullah.
King Abdullah’s gone, but the Saudi monarchy’s pact with the mosques remains Hala al-Dosari argues that the ruling family endures due to its pact with the religious establishment.
New Saudi king pledges to stay the course The new Saudi king pledges to maintain existing energy and foreign policies.
Saudi Arabia after King Abdullah A news report on how Saudi Arabia will deal with the turbulent changes in the region without King Abdullah.
Saudi: Turbulent times for new King Salman Gerald Butt reports on the challenges facing the new king.
World leaders in Saudi Arabia to pay tribute to late king A news report on the gathering of world leaders in Saudi Arabia to pay tribute to King Abdullah.
King Abdullah embodied the wickedness of Saudi Arabia’s regime Andrew Brown provides a critical account of King Abdullah’s legacy.
Saudi Arabia’s Tyrant King Misremembered as Man of Peace Murtaza Hussain ridicules obituaries describing King Abdullah as a man of peace.
Remembering Saudi’s King Abdullah: "He Was Not a Benevolent Dictator, He Was a Dictator" Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez report on the legacy of King Abdullah.
'Nauseating' Praise for Dead Saudi King Exposes Hypocrisy of West, Say Critics Dierdre Fulton analyzes the obituaries on King Abdullah.
King Abdullah, a feminist? Don’t make me laugh Anne Perkins criticizes Christine Lagarde’s description of the former king as a defender of women’s rights.
West’s praise of King Abdullah shows Saudi Arabia is exception to human rights stance Julian Borger writes on human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.
The truth about Saudi King Abdullah’s human rights record Adam Coogle examines the late Saudi king’s human rights record.
Five things you need to know about Saudi Arabia’s future Jane Kinninmont argues that the death of King Abdullah raises questions about Saudi Arabia’s internal and regional politics and relations with the West.
Saudi Arabia Oil: What next? Andrew Walker reflects on how succession in Saudi Arabia will impact oil policy.
Oil prices rise after Saudi king’s death as successor says approach won't change Julie Kollewe writes on the rise of oil prices following the news of King Abdullah’s death.
Human Rights
Dispatches: UK Credibility on Bahrain Shot to Pieces Nicholas McGeehan, from Human Rights Watch, deplores British statements in support of the Bahraini king.
Saudi Arabia: King’s Reform Agenda Unfulfilled Human Rights Watch argues that late Saudi king has failed to secure the fundamental rights of Saudi citizens.
Saudi Arabia: Doctors find Raif Badawi unfit for flogging on health grounds second week in a row Amnesty International reports on Raif Badawi’s medical condition.
Bahrain: Nabeel Rajab sentenced in free expression case, belying promises of reform The Gulf Center for Human Rights condemns Nabeel Rajab’s six-month jail sentence.
Oman: Prominent human rights defender Saed Jadad summoned to court on fabricated charges The Gulf Center for Human Rights condemns an Omani court’s decision to summon Saed Jadad.
Bahrain: Continuous Targeting of Bahraini Opposition Former MPs The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses concern over the ongoing harassment of former members of parliament because of their political opinion.
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