Sunni Monarchies

Saudi Arabia executed 47 prisoners convicted of terrorism charges today, including a Shiite cleric who was a central figure in 2011 Arab Spring-inspired protests in the kingdom.

Fugitive Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi has travelled to Qatar on what the Gulf nation's state news agency called an "official visit." The trip could deepen tensions between Baghdad's Shiite-led government and the Sunni monarchies of the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia executed 47 prisoners convicted of terrorism charges today, including a Shiite cleric who was a central figure in 2011 Arab Spring-inspired protests in the kingdom.

Fugitive Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi has travelled to Qatar on what the Gulf nation's state news agency called an "official visit." The trip could deepen tensions between Baghdad's Shiite-led government and the Sunni monarchies of the Gulf.