The Doctor is In: Dr. Bashar al-Asad

Bashar al-Asad

Note to readers: For many years, since long before he was known to the world at large, The Estimate has spelled the name of Hafiz al-Asad’s second son as “Bashshar”, which is an accurate transcription of the Arabic, which has a double sh in the middle position. Now that he has become a figure of global prominence, however, virtually all media are spelling his name the way the Syrian government does in its publicity, “Bashar”. For simplicity’s sake, beginning with this issue, The Estimate will spell his name without the extra sh.

He is invariably called “Doctor Bashar” by the Syrian media, which is now full of news about him. The man about to become President of Syria is an ophthalmologist by training, and it is not uncommon for observers to comment that he looks rather more like an ophthalmologist than a President of Syria. Some of the propaganda portraits of him in the past few years show him in military camouflage, a beret and dark glasses, prompting one American observer to remark that it was reminiscent of former US Presidential candidate Michael Dukakis’ notorious picture in an M-1 tank: somehow the man does not seem to fit the image.

Unlike his older brother Basil, who was groomed to be President for years, Bashar never expected to go into politics. He wanted, and expected, to be an eye doctor. But the charismatic, dashing Basil liked fast cars, and when he was killed in an auto accident in Damascus in 1994, Bashar returned home to do his dynastic duty.

Bashar was born in Damascus in 1965, the third of Hafiz al-Asad’s five children, and the second son. His primary and intermediate education was at the al-Huriyya Institute in Damascus. During his secondary education, he is said to have also undergone parachute training.

Bashar entered the College of Medicine at Damascus University, graduating as a doctor in 1988 with, his official biography notes without irony, the highest honors. He then specialized in ophthalmology at the Tishrin Military Hospital, also beginning medical practice at that time. In 1992 he traveled to Great Britain to pursue his specialist studies in ophthalmology and eye surgery. He was completing those studies in 1994 when his brother Basil was killed, and he returned home.

On his return, he joined the military with the rank of Captain in the Medical Corps, but soon transferred into other duties as he clearly became the heir apparent. After making captain in 1994, he was promoted Major in 1995, Staff Lieutenant Colonel in 1997, full Staff Colonel in 1999, and then directly promoted Lieutenant General and Commander-in-Chief on his father’s death.

In the meantime, he had undergone command and staff training, in keeping with the tradition (clearly set by his father) of seeing the Presidency as essentially a military command position. He was assigned to the Republican Guard, an elite unit, and prior to his father’s death held the rank of colonel and the command of a Republican Guard Brigade.

Though Bashar held no political or party position, he was expected to receive one at the Ba‘ath Party Congress due to meet on June 17. (See the Dossier in this issue.) He has for several years been the head of the Syrian Computer Society (a post previously held by Basil before his death), and this has been (along with his military post) one of the springboards for his growing prominence. He is an open and outspoken advocate of the Internet, though few Syrians yet have access.

Particularly over the past two years, he has increasingly been given direct responsibility for the Syrian role in Lebanon, despite his lack of an official position. He has supplanted Vice President ‘Abd al-Halim Khaddam as Syria’s man on the “Lebanese account”, and reportedly has worked closely with Ghazi Kan‘an, the longtime “proconsul” in Lebanon. He was involved in the election of President Emile Lahoud and has frequently met with Lahoud. Most recently he has been in charge of the anti-corruption campaign (See the Dossier ).

At 34, Bashar is unmarried. There have been rumors that he and his family disagreed over certain efforts to matchmake with proper ‘Alawite family connections, and there are persistent rumors that he is involved with a prominent Lebanese woman or otherwise may have a potential wife selected.

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