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.

• 1965: Born September 11, 1965

• 1980's: Bashar moves to London to study ophthalmology

• 1994: Bashar Al-Assad's brother Basil killed. Bashar becomes informal heir apparent

• 2000: June, Former president Hafez al-Assad dies

• 2000: July, His son, Bashar takes power

• 2004: May, US imposes sanctions on Syria, accusing it of supporting "terrorism"

• 2005: February: Rafiq al-Hariri assassinated. Many blame Syria, Al-Assad denies responsibility

• 2005: April, Syrian troops leave Lebanon - ending 29-year presence

• 2007: March-April, Al-Assad receives visit from Javier Solana and Nancy Pelosi