Author's bio:
Bouthaina Shaaban is Political and Media Advisor at the Syrian Presidency, and former Minister of Expatriates. She is also a writer and professor at Damascus University since 1985. She has been the spokesperson for Syria and was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.Although she is, or has been, connected to the Syrain Assad government, her article has a very credible ring of authenticity to it. It is corresponds well with independent sources that I've posted in the past, it is well documented, and includes a sound bibliography.
She provides an excellent historical summary of the most significant events that have created the present situation in Syria.