From Doctor to Dictator: How Bashar al-Assad Became Syria's President After 54 Years of Family Rule

Bashar al-Assad, Syria's current president, never intended to follow in his father's footsteps. Born into a family of power and privilege, Bashar had dreams of becoming an ophthalmologist, studying medicine in London. However, fate had other plans. When his elder brother, Bassel, the heir apparent, tragically died in a car accident in 1994, Bashar was suddenly thrust into the political spotlight, ultimately becoming the successor to his father, Hafez al-Assad.

Hafez al-Assad, the patriarch of the Assad family, had ruled Syria with an iron fist since 1970. A member of the Alawite sect, a minority within the predominantly Sunni Muslim country, Hafez capitalized on Syria’s ethnic and religious divisions, using a "divide and rule" strategy to strengthen his hold on power. By appointing Alawites to key military and government positions, he ensured loyalty and consolidated his control over the state.

After Hafez al-Assad's death in 2000, Bashar reluctantly stepped into the role of president. His initial promises of reforms were quickly overshadowed by the family’s deep-rooted authoritarian system. Syria’s political and economic environment remained tightly controlled, and any opposition was ruthlessly suppressed. Bashar's presidency was marked by growing dissent, which culminated in the 2011 Syrian Civil War.

The ongoing war has seen widespread human rights violations, including mass killings, displacement, and the use of chemical weapons, as Bashar al-Assad's regime struggles to maintain control. Despite the heavy toll on the Syrian people, Assad remains in power, supported by allies like Russia and Iran, while continuing his family's 54-year rule over Syria.

In a country fractured by conflict, Assad's reign has come to symbolize the enduring power of a family entrenched in violence, division, and oppression.