Spending our days on the interwebs has its advantages, one being that we come across lots of excellent pieces of journalism. Every week, we'll bring you our favorite online reads that didn't appear on our site. Disagree with the selection? Leave your suggestions in the comments or tweet #bestreads at @HuffPostWorld.
The Runaway GeneralRolling Stone -- Michael HastingsThe U.S. lost one of its best journalists on Tuesday. Michael Hastings, a reporter at BuzzFeed and contributing editor at Rolling Stone, died in a car crash in Los Angeles. Our favorite read of the week is Hastings' brilliant, shocking, in-depth profile of General Stanley McChrystal.
The Price Of Loyalty In SyriaNYTimes -- Robert F. WorthMore than two years into Syria's brutal war, the country's Alawite community has been at the center of much of the conflict. Robert Worth traveled to Damascus to hear the community's often forgotten perspective on the war.
Hassan Rouhani, 'Ultimate Insider' Who Holds Key To A More Moderate IranThe Guardian -- Ian Black, Saeed Kamali DehghanModerate, insider, conservative, bridge-builder -- Hassan Rouhani is a leader who can support many labels. The Guardian looks at what's ahead for Iran and its newly elected president.
Islamists Seize Control As Moderates DitherReuters -- Oliver Holmes, Alexander DziadoszAcross Syria, Islamist fighters are siding with moderate Syrian rebel groups. According to Reuters reporters Oliver Holmes and Alexancer Dziadosz, the Islamists are better-equipped, better-funded and better-coordinated. "The moderates are losing ground. In many parts of rebel-held Aleppo, the red, black and green revolutionary flag that represents more moderate elements has been replaced with the black Islamic flag," they write.
Should Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff Be Worried About the Protests?The Daily Beast -- Marc MargolisWhy did protests about fare hikes for public transportation morph into a mass outcry of discontent with Brazilian policies? Marc Margolis searches for answers in The Daily Beast and wonders what the developments mean for Dilma Rousseff's political future.