Ever since the struggle in Syria began, the Obama administration has consistently underestimated Russia's commitment to the Assad regime. Even last week we were hearing hopeful noises from Washington about possible moves on the issue in Moscow. The roots of Russia's support for Butcher Assad go deep. This is much more than nostalgia for Russia's last Middle East ally from Soviet days. This is about getting back in touch with Russia's pre-communist foreign policy traditions, and about Putin's relations with one of his most reliable and important bases of support: the Russian Orthodox Church.  The Church has...