November 8, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Key players in Middle East melting pot: Bashar al-Assad, Syria
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 8, Graphic News:  Bashar al-Assad, president of Syria, is among a new crop of Arab leaders beset with ancient problems. Since being propelled into leadership following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, two years ago, the 36-year-old has battled to steer his country towards modernisation while appeasing the various factions locked in a struggle for its soul. Syria, which has troops in Lebanon and holds sway over Hezbollah guerrillas, is the key to peace in the Middle East but Washington has so far failed to make inroads with the new regime, and the Iraq crisis has not helped matters. Al-Assad, a computer-savvy British-trained eye doctor, is one of the most vehement opponents of war on Iraq. He has warned that striking Baghdad would unleash poverty, political chaos and floods of refugees, and has even called for the lifting of UN sanctions if weapons inspectors do go in and find nothing. Analysts say Syria will lose much in the event of a war on Iraq, which is less a friend than a key trading partner. The fall of Baghdad would end a supply of cheap oil that has cushioned the Syrian economy. In addition, Iraq is the only other power ruled by the BaÕath Party and its demise could leave Syria isolated. Al-Assad has raised the issue of wider repercussions, including the possible splintering of the entire region into three factions: ShiÔite, Sunni Muslim and Kurd. To some analysts, however, that Al-Assad even thinks it relevant to issue such warnings proves his inexperience and naivete since, they claim, a form of Middle East meltdown is exactly what many of the hawks in Washington are after.
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