MESOP : HAIL TO WORLDLEADER PUTIN – Shiites in Iraq Hailing Putin for Syria Push
By MICHAEL R. GORDONOCT. 11, 2015 – New York Times – Karim Nihaya, an artist in Baghdad, wrapped a painting of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia last week. Mr. Putin’s popularity is soaring in Iraq’s Shiite heartland for his military raids in Syria.NAJAF, Iraq — One of the most popular Facebook posts in Iraq’s Shiite heartland is a Photoshopped image of President Vladimir V. Putin ofRussia dressed in the robe of a southern tribal sheikh. Watch all and pics : http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/12/world/middleeast/russian-intervention-in-syria-excites-iraqs-disillusioned-shiites.html?emc=edit_ee_20151012&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=73143833&_r=0