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, and he used armed forces and tanks to clear out protestors, which led to, as of now, more than 5,000 deaths.
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 Obama have met with him and both administrations have accused him, rightfully, of harboring terrorist organizations such as Hamas (which had its headquaters in Damascus) and Hezbollah. He is also hostile to Israel and Zionism and refuses to recognize the country's right to exist.
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 Obama have met with him and both administrations have accused him, rightfully, of harboring terrorist organizations such as Hamas (which had its headquaters in Damascus) and Hezbollah. He is also hostile to Israel and Zionism and refuses to recognize the country's right to exist.
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 Obama have met with him and both administrations have accused him, rightfully, of harboring terrorist organizations such as Hamas (which had its headquaters in Damascus) and Hezbollah. He is also hostile to Israel and Zionism and refuses to recognize the country's right to exist.
