• Bashar Al-Assad is the President of Syria and leader of the Baath Party. He assumed office on July 17, 2000, with very little political experience. He took over the presidency from his father, Hafez Al-Assad, and it was widely expected that Bashar Al-Assad would introduce more liberal politics to the country. After he took office, reform advocates began mobilizing in what became known as the Damascus Spring. Initially, Al-Assad accepted the changes and introduced some reforms in the government. However, the movement ended abruptly with several security crackdowns at the end of 2001. Al-Assad has been criticized for Syria's treatment of dissidents and political prisoners, and for failing to recognize or implement the changes necessary to revive Syria's stagnating economy. He has been accused by the United States, the European Union and Israel of supporting groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and various terrorist organizations.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: September 11, 1965
  2. Assumed presidency July 17, 2000
  3. Regional Secretary of the Baath Party
  4. Trained as an ophthalmologist
  5. Former head of the Syrian Computer Society
  6. Son of former President Hafez Al-Assad

• Related Mahalo Pages

  U.S. Relations with Syria | Israel-Lebanon Conflict | Syria | Baath Party | Hafez Al-Assad

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