Reply to Serafim Sarovskii:  I found some websites that claim that Human Rights Watch is pro-Arab and anti-Israeli  (for example: New Republic article:  "Human Rights Watch fights a civil war over Israel" ).  But the pro-Arab connection is with Saudi Arabia (which is Sunni Muslim). The government of Syria is supported by Iran (which is Shiite Muslim).  As you know, the major conflicts in the Middle East are between Sunni and Shitte factions.  But I was unable to find any websites which mention a connection to Russia.