Russia's love for Shiites is political and strategic

"Why did Russia get to view fundamentalist Shiism as ideologically toothless, hence a worthwhile ally against fundamentalist Sunnism that has made common cause with Washington?"

Support for the Shiites protects Russia and China , in some way, from Sunni uprisings in their own countries, so the article claims.

Another collection of articles about the Syrian conflict, including this:

Exclusive interview: why I defected from Bashar al-Assad’s regime, by former diplomat Nawaf Fares

"The clip raises an interesting point that showing patriotism is not by displaying the flag rather it is what we do to comply with the Bill of Rights.

There is nothing wrong with displaying the flag but the flag comes second to the country’s constitution. Something that unfortunately we, Jordanians, fail to recognize."

"An apt quote from George Orwell which the press in this part of the world in particular need to mull and head.

I know that they won’t, but it’s worth reminding them of their duty. Even if one of the thousands of journalists gets a pang on conscience after reading this, then that’s a good step in the right direction."