Mongzong

Hayley
Molly
Power & Imagination
June 11, 2015
The Dictator of Syria: Bashar Al-Assad
What is the situation of this nation in the international arena? Is it of strategic or economic
importance (to whom)? Is it a former colony (and of whom)? What nations might have an
interest in this persons role?
In international affairs, there are many issues that Bashar was faced with that his father
faced as well. Syria had a volatile relationship with Israel, military occupation in Lebanon,
tensions with Turkey over water rights, and the feeling of being a marginal influence of the
Middle East. Syrias only friend in the Middle East is Iran.
Syria was a former territory of the Ottoman Empire and was taken over by the French
after World War 1. Syria has artificial borders that were created by European colonial powers in
the 1920s, forcing together an amalgam of diverse religious and ethnic groups. There is said to
be no other solution than a political solution. Adding that an international agreement is required
to start the third round of Geneva peace conference.
What is the history of this persons rise to power? Did he get elected, inherit the position,
lead a coup? Is his background in the military, politics, private enterprise? Who are his
constituents?
At this time, Bashar was leading the life a medical student, and had no intentions of
entering a political life. His father had been grooming the brother Bassel as the future president.
But in 1994, Bassel was killed in an automobile accident, and Bashar was recalled to Damascus.
Bashar's life would soon radically change. Hafez quickly and quietly moved to have Bashar
succeed him as president; Bashar entered the military academy at Homs, located north of
Damascus, and was quickly pushed through the ranks to become a colonel in just five years.
During this time, he served as an advisor to his father, hearing complaints and appeals from
citizens, and led a campaign against corruption. As a result, he was able to remove many
potential rivals.
Hafez al-Assad died on June 10, 2000 and in the days following his death, Syria's
parliament quickly voted to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 34, so
that Bashar could be eligible for the office. Bashar was then chosen for a 7 year term as president
in Syria. He received 97% of the vote. He was also selected leader of the Ba-ath Party and
commander in chief of the military. Bashar was considered a young generation leader who was
expected to bring change to Syria, which is a region long filled with aging dictators.
What means has this person employed to sustain his rule? Has there been any limitation on
the press, on opposition parties?
By the fall of 2011, many countries were calling for President Bashar al-Assad's
resignation and the Arab League suspended Syria, leading the Syrian government to agree to
allow Arab observers into the country. In January 2012, the Reuters News Agency reported that
more than 5,000 civilians had been killed by the Syrian militia (Shabeeha), and that 1,000 people

had been killed by anti-regime forces. That March, the United Nations endorsed a peace plan that
was drafted by former UN Secretary Kofi Annan, but this didn't stop the violence.
Despite promises of human rights reform, not much has changed since Bashar al-Assad took
office. For nearly a decade, he successfully suppressed internal dissention, due mostly to the
close relationship between the Syrian military and intelligence agencies. In 2006, Syria expanded
its use of travel bans against dissidents, preventing many from entering or leaving the country. In
2007, the Syrian Parliament passed a law requiring all comments on chat forums to be posted
publicly. In 2008, and again in 2011, social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook were
blocked. Human rights groups have reported that political opponents of Bashar al-Assad are
routinely tortured, imprisoned and killed.

Has the nature of this persons rule changed over time? Has the country benefited? In what
ways? What have been the costs? What future do you foresee?
Following successful regime change in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, protests began in Syria
on January 26, 2011, demanding political reforms, a reinstatement of civil rights and an end to
the state of emergency, which had been in place since 1963. Outraged by government inaction,
the protests spread and became larger. In May 2011, the Syrian military responded with violent
crackdowns in the town of Homs and the suburbs of Damascus. In June, Bashar promised a
national dialogue and new parliamentary elections, but no change came, and the protests
continued. That same month, opposition activists established a "National Council" to lead a
Syrian revolution.
President Bashar al-Assad has continued to demonstrate tremendous disregard for human
life in his efforts to hold onto power. In August 2013, he has come under fire from leaders around
the world, including U.S. president Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron,
for using chemical weapons against civilians. This action resulted in the deaths of women and
children, and some Western countries are debating what steps should be taken against al-Assad
and his regime.
Are there questions I havent asked that are of interest with your subject? How does this
person fit within Russells categorization of characteristics of people based on the way in
which they gained power?
When Bashar al-Assad was elected for president he promised a more modern and
democratic Syria. He also conveyed to having vitality, openness and having accessibility to the
public. For almost a decade, nothing has changed. In 2006, Syria expanded its use of travel bans
against dissidents, preventing many from entering or leaving the country. Then in n2008 and
2001, social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook were blocked. There are human rights
group that report that political opponents of Bashar are routinely tortured, imprisoned and killed.
Human Rights Watch call his time as president as the wasted decade. Bashar fits in Russells
categorization of having power through violence in which he exempts through military strength
as well as influencing people through opinions. When Bashar gained power there were high
hopes because of the promises he made and his desire to stop the violence. But, he was also
viewed to be more dangerous than his father due to his inexperience.