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As the UAE builds defence capabilities and US backing helps the region stand up to the Iranian threat, the possibility of an Emirati gambit in the Abu Musa and Tunb islands seems more credible

With the government weakened by a corruption scandal and growing opposition, thousands of public sector employees have taken to the streets to demand higher wages and continued state subsidies

A coalition of seven human rights groups has shed light on some of the inflammatory statements that led to the prosecution of five activists on charges that include threatening state security, as it criticised the trial for being “fundamentally unfair”.

Qatar has at last announced plans for elections in 2013, nine years after a new constitution granted legislative powers to a semi-elected Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council). Under the 2003 constitution, 30 of the Shura’s 45 members will be elected for four-year terms; they will have the right to propose laws, approve the state budget and question the prime minister and ministers.

Despite the cooling of relations after 9/11, the Kingdom has worked hard to maintain close security ties to the US, and mutual hostility towards Iran will further deepen the relationship. The death of Crown Prince Sultan, the longstanding defence and aviation minister, marks the end of a remarkable career during which he worked with 13 US defence secretaries.

The health of UAE president and Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has long been the subject of speculation – he was abroad last year for medical treatment in a Swiss clinic.  He has also never been the most charismatic of world leaders, usually only appearing in the press after sending cables of condolences/congratulations or departing for his autumn/winter private hunting trips in Kazakhstan. 

The election of three men who took part in protests to the Majlis Al-Shura might reflect the electorate’s hopes for political reform, but critics believe the system remains an ‘autocratic monarchy with a democratic facade’

While Qatar basks in the glory of its successful involvement in the campaign to bring an end to Colonel Muammar Qadhafi’s rule, the big challenge for the emirate’s leadership may yet be to come.

Nema Al-Busaidi (Seeb) was the only one of 77 female candidates elected to the Majlis Al-Shura in the October elections.  The government may well be disappointed, but it is an improvement on 2007, when 20 women stood but were unsuccessful. 

Abu Dhabi foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has been in Queensland, where he helped to mark the state of construction for a new cyclone shelter in the coastal town of Proserpine. 

PRINCE MISHAAL: Returns to Riyadh; TURKI BIN ABDELAZIZ: Back from Egypt

Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani has been in Poland, where he met President Bronisław Komorowski and Senate speaker Bogdan Borusewicz.  He has also been in Macedonia, accompanied by a 100-strong business delegation, and Albania.

One of the most intriguing stories of Bahrain’s public relations activities is that of Liliane Khalil.  The ‘journalist’, who began writing at the beginning of the Arab Spring, contributed to Egyptian news site Bikya Masr and the notorious and now shut Bahrain Independent, where her ‘exposés’ included an article on the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights’ links to “Iranian-backed terrorist groups”.

Bahrain is scrambling to maintain a respectable media image and stave off potential damage to delicate arms deals and trade agreements in the wake of the Arab spring.   

The last few weeks has seen a marked escalation in Saudi-Iranian tension. Regionally the two powers are facing off in Syria, while Riyadh has accused Iran of meddling in its eastern region. The US has revealed dramatic details of a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador in Washington Adel Al Jubair, once again pointing the finger at Iran. But is it just a war of words and accusations, or is there more at play?