Difference between revisions of "Bashar al-Assad"
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| − | [[File:President Syria Bashar al Assad.jpg|150px|thumb|right]] | + | [[File:President Syria Bashar al Assad.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Bashar al-Assad]] |
| − | '''Bashar al-Assad''' is the current president of [[Syria]]. As a member of the [[Ba'ath Party]] of Syria, he is a [[socialist]] [[dictator]], though in his reign some limited [[free market]] reforms were implemented. In 2011, the [[Arab Spring]] led to widespread protests in his country, which turned into the [[Syrian Civil War]], in which more than | + | '''Bashar al-Assad''' is the current president of [[Syria]]. As a member of the [[Ba'ath Party]] of Syria, he is a [[socialist]] [[dictator]], though in his reign some limited [[free market]] reforms were implemented. In 2011, the [[Arab Spring]] led to widespread protests in his country, which turned into the [[Syrian Civil War]], in which more than 100,000 deaths have taken place.<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/un-more-100000-now-dead-syrias-civil-war</ref> |
==Politics== | ==Politics== | ||
The [[Christians in Syria]] enjoy the tolerance of the secular government. But since the [[Syrian Civil War]] they are afraid to lose it, if the jihadist opposition will come in power. | The [[Christians in Syria]] enjoy the tolerance of the secular government. But since the [[Syrian Civil War]] they are afraid to lose it, if the jihadist opposition will come in power. | ||
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His elder brother, Basil, was killed in a car accident in 1994. | His elder brother, Basil, was killed in a car accident in 1994. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Current Heads of State]] | [[Category:Current Heads of State]] | ||
Revision as of 10:23, January 25, 2014
Bashar al-Assad is the current president of Syria. As a member of the Ba'ath Party of Syria, he is a socialist dictator, though in his reign some limited free market reforms were implemented. In 2011, the Arab Spring led to widespread protests in his country, which turned into the Syrian Civil War, in which more than 100,000 deaths have taken place.[1]
Politics
The Christians in Syria enjoy the tolerance of the secular government. But since the Syrian Civil War they are afraid to lose it, if the jihadist opposition will come in power.
Foreign Relations
Under al-Assad, Syria maintains a close alliance with theocratic Iran, despite his more secular form of governance. Like his father Hafez al-Assad, his relation with Saddam Hussein's Iraq was sour and tense, and after Operation Iraqi Freedom he established good relations with the new Iraqi government.
Al-Assad is very anti-American. Neither George W. Bush nor Barack Hussein Obama have met with him and both administrations have accused him, rightfully, of harboring terrorist organizations such as Hamas (which had its headquarters in Damascus) and Hezbollah. He is also hostile to Israel and Zionism and refuses to recognize the country's right to exist.
Personal life
President al-Assad believes in Shia Islam in its Alawite variant (which is seen by some Muslims as a heretical sect), and Syrian Alawite elites are his base of support. He is married to Asma al-Assad, a former investment banker educated in Britain.
His elder brother, Basil, was killed in a car accident in 1994.