Bashar al-Assad

Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria, having held office since the year 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for three decades. Born on September 11, 1965, in Damascus, Bashar originally trained as an ophthalmologist in London before being called back to Syria after the death of his elder brother—his father’s original heir apparent. With little political experience at the time, Bashar al-Assad rose rapidly through the military and political ranks to become the leader of the Ba'ath Party and head of state.

As President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad’s rule has been marked by significant controversy, particularly regarding his government's response to the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011 amid the Arab Spring uprisings. His leadership has drawn international condemnation for alleged human rights violations, including the use of chemical weapons and widespread civilian casualties. At the same time, he has retained a base of support domestically and from key international allies, such as Russia and Iran, maintaining his grip on power through years of intense conflict.

Among his public remarks, Bashar al-Assad has often positioned himself as a figure of resistance against Western intervention. One of his noted quotes is: “We are fighting terrorism, we are not killing civilians.” Another statement reflecting his political posture is: “The problem with the West is that they don’t accept partners—they only accept followers.” These quotes reveal his defiance and self-image as a sovereign leader under siege, though critics argue they obscure a more complex and troubling reality under his rule.