The rise and fall of Bashar and Asma Assad

Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled to Russia over the weekend, putting an end to his nearly 14-year struggle to maintain power in the midst of a civil war that turned into a battlefield for international and regional powers. Assad, who was not the expected successor when he first came to power, has had a tumultuous reign that has seen him go from a young and seemingly progressive leader to a despotic dictator.

Assad’s rise to power was unexpected, as his father Hafez Assad had been grooming his older brother Basil as his successor. However, Basil’s untimely death in a car crash in 1994 led to Bashar being brought back from his ophthalmology practice in London to undergo military training and eventually become president of Syria. Despite his lack of experience, Bashar was able to ascend to the presidency through a nationwide referendum in which he was the only candidate.

Initially, Bashar seemed to be a departure from his father’s authoritarian rule. He was described as tall, lanky, and quiet with a gentle demeanor. He freed political prisoners and allowed more open discourse in the country. Additionally, his marriage to Asma al-Akhras, a British-born woman known for her beauty and style, added to his image as a more modern and progressive leader.

However, as Assad’s rule continued, things began to change. In 2005, Syria lost its control over Lebanon following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, leading to accusations against Assad. The Arab world also split into two factions, with Syria aligning with Iran and Hezbollah against U.S.-allied Sunni countries. The outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011 further solidified Assad’s reputation as a brutal dictator, as he cracked down on protesters and blamed foreign-backed terrorists for the unrest.

As the conflict in Syria escalated, revelations about the lavish spending of Assad and his wife came to light. Private emails published by Wikileaks in 2012 showed Asma spending exorbitant amounts on luxury items while the country was in the midst of a civil war. The couple’s presidential mansion, which cost an estimated $1 billion, was filled with opulent furnishings and marble tiles. As the war raged on, the stark contrast between Asma’s social media posts depicting her as a humanitarian and the gruesome reality of the conflict drew widespread condemnation.

In May, Syrian officials announced that Asma had been diagnosed with leukemia, adding to the turmoil surrounding the Assad regime. Despite her illness, Asma continued to be a controversial figure, with her actions and statements often drawing criticism and outrage.

Assad’s decision to flee to Russia marks the end of an era for Syria and the Assad regime. His reign, which began with promise and hope, has descended into bloodshed and chaos, leaving a shattered country in its wake. The future of Syria remains uncertain as the international community grapples with the aftermath of Assad’s departure and the ongoing conflict in the region.