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From eye doctor to brutal dictator: The rise (and fall) of Syria's Bashar Assad

The article from MSN traces the trajectory of Bashar al-Assad, detailing his unexpected rise to power in Syria following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, in 2000. Initially perceived as a reformer, Bashar, an ophthalmologist by training, was thrust into the political spotlight, becoming president at the age of 34. His early years were marked by promises of liberalization and modernization, but these hopes were soon dashed as he maintained and even intensified his father's authoritarian rule. The article discusses how Assad's regime responded to the Arab Spring protests in 2011 with brutal force, leading to a civil war that has devastated Syria, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and displacing millions. It highlights Assad's use of chemical weapons, the international condemnation, and the complex web of alliances and conflicts involving foreign powers like Russia, Iran, and the United States. Despite the ongoing conflict, Assad has managed to retain power, albeit over a significantly weakened and fragmented nation, with his regime accused of numerous human rights abuses.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/from-eye-doctor-to-brutal-dictator-the-rise-and-fall-of-syria-s-bashar-assad/ar-AA1vvszS ]