Wow. Good luck over there. If you see a bright flash of light, hit the ground. Just kidding. Yeah the old Sunni verses Shiite battle is heating up again. You really must feel like you are living in Orwells 1984 over there (we have always been at war with the Shia).
It’s not the most fun place in the world to be for a while, but it’s certainly interesting on some levels. It’s actually a lot calmer and more stable here now, than when I first visited back in 2004.
I spent a year in Damascus back in 2007-8, as well - completely different environment, of course, but a fascinating city - far preferable to Saudi on a quality-of-life basis from both a personal and cultural standpoint. At that time, of course. Not so much right now.