The new Asad: Dynamics of continuity and change in Syria

Middle East Journal

Volumn 55, Issue 4, 2001, Pages 623-641

  Ghadbian, Najib ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0039838671     PISSN: 00263141     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (64)

1. For Rif'at's challenge, see the "Brothers' War," in Patrick Seale. Asad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988).
2. Al-Wasat, (London) February 16, 1998, p. 22.
3. Reported by Riyad Na'san Agha, an official in the Political Office of the President. An interview with the Al-Jazeera TV Station, on June 16, 2000.
4. After his death, the "Martyr" was added to the title.
5. For an early account of the ascendance of Bashar, see Ibrahim Hamidi, "Al-Ra'id Bashar al-Asad Yaqtahim al-'Amal al-Siyasi" (Major Bashar Enters the Political Arena), Al-Wasat, (London), No. 170, May 1, 1995, p. 24.
6. For an early account of the ascendance of Bashar, see Ibrahim Hamidi, "Al-Ra'id Bashar al-Asad Yaqtahim al-'Amal al-Siyasi" (Major Bashar Enters the Political Arena), Al-Wasat, (London), No. 170, May 1, 1995, p. 24.
7. All purges which took place in the military and security agencies, during this period, were believed to be linked to the ascendancy of Bashar.
8. Najib Ghadbian, "Bashar al Asad min al-Wiratha ila al-Shar'iyya: Khamsa Iqtirahat" (Bashar al-Asad From Bequest to Legitimacy: Five Suggestions), Al-Hayat, (London) June 23, 2000, p. 10.
9. Najib Ghadbian, "Bashar al Asad min al-Wiratha ila al-Shar'iyya: Khamsa Iqtirahat" (Bashar al-Asad From Bequest to Legitimacy: Five Suggestions), Al-Hayat, (London) June 23, 2000, p. 10.
10. These names were mentioned by journalists close to the regime, see the coverage of Asad's death and aftermath in Al-Hayat, June 10-30, 2000.
11. Bashar articulated this stance in his inaugural speech on July 17, 2000. See Tishrin (Damascus) July 18, 2000, p. 1.
12. Editorials and commentaries in the Arab media, in the aftermath of Asad's death, reflected these sentiments.
13. "Being Hafiz al-Assad: Syria's Chilly but Consistent Peace Strategy," Foreign Affairs, Vol. 79, No. 3 (May-June 2000), p. 3.
14. His comments generated furious responses not only from the Israelis, but also from the French and US governments, Al-Hayat, May 9, 2001, pp. 1 & 6.
15. It was interesting that Lebanese journalist, Gibran Tuayni, published an open letter to Bashar calling on Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon, before the parliamentary elections, Al-Nahar. (Beirut) March 23, 2000, p. 1.
16. While thousands of Syrian workers in Lebanon cast their votes for Bashar, two Lebanese Maronite parties objected to the opening of polling stations throughout Lebanese. Al-Jazeera, July 10, 2000.
17. Jim Quilty, "Destiny and Dependence," Middle East International, No. 627, June 16, 2000, pp. 7-8.
18. 'Awn still lives in exile in Paris.
19. Al-Hayat, April 16, 2001, p. 4.
20. "Special Interview with Sheikh Hassan Nassrallah," Al-Jazeera, May 19, 2001.
21. "Syria Repositions," Middle East International, June 29, 2001, p. 22.
22. See the interview with King 'Abdullah, in Al-Quds al-Arabi, (London) July 19, 2000, p. 1.
23. For a pessimistic view of Syrian-Palestinian relations, see Lamis Andoni, "Asad and the Palestinians." Middle East International, no. 627, June 16, 2000, pp. 20-22.
24. Abu Mazin has not officially visited Damascus since 1983. Al-Hayat, August 6, 2001, p. 4.
25. Al-Hayat, August 14, 2001, pp. 1 & 6.
26. As of August 2001, Bashar has visited Spain, France and Germany.
27. This expectation is due partly to Washington's cold shoulder toward Syria, the former is believed to be under the heavy influence of the pro-Israel lobby.
28. Al-Quds al-'Arabi, July 3, 1998, p. 1.
29. Al-Hayat, May 22, 2000, p. 1.
30. For recent figures on the Syrian economy, see "Bashar's World," The Economist, June 17, 2000, p.24-26.
31. Military spending has been cut back from the early 1990s levels, which was over 10% of the country's GNP.
32. The criticism of the performance of the economy by the new regime attests to the mismanagement during the father's era.
33. Nikolaos Van Dam, The Struggle for Power in Syria: Politics and Society Under Asad and the Ba'th Party (London: I. B. Tauris Publishers, 1996).
34. Syria's Peasantry, the Descendants of Its Lesser Rural Notables, and Their Politics (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1999), pp. 215-225.
35. Asad: The Struggle for the Middle East, p. 179.
36. th ed. (New York: Longman, 2000), p. 187.
37. The question of corruption among Asad's top aides is discussed in Seale, Asad, and Batatu, Syria's Peasantry.
38. For a cynical view of these campaigns, see Subhi al-Hadidi, "Mahmud al-Zu'bi wa Harb d-Qitat al-Siman Did al-Dhi'ab al-Siman" (Mahmoud al-Zu'bi and the War of the Fat Cats against the Fat Wolves) Al-Quds al-'Arabi, May 12, 2000, p. 19.
39. For a cynical view of these campaigns, see Subhi al-Hadidi, "Mahmud al-Zu'bi wa Harb d-Qitat al-Siman Did al-Dhi'ab al-Siman" (Mahmoud al-Zu'bi and the War of the Fat Cats against the Fat Wolves) Al-Quds al-'Arabi, May 12, 2000, p. 19.
40. Al-Hayat, July 20, 2000, pp. 1,6. This line was reasserted in the inaugural speech of the new President.
41. Al-Hayat, September 26, 2000, p.1.
42. Ibrahim Hamidi, "Na'ib Suri Yu'lin Ta'sis Hizb Libirali" (Syrian Parliamentarian Announces the Establishment of a New Liberal Party), Al-Hayat, January 26, 2001, pp. 3,6.
43. Ibrahim Hamidi, "Na'ib Suri Yu'lin Ta'sis Hizb Libirali" (Syrian Parliamentarian Announces the Establishment of a New Liberal Party), Al-Hayat, January 26, 2001, pp. 3,6.
44. See for instance, "Risala Min al-Ikhwan al-Muslimin: Da'wa li Daf' al-'Amal al-Watani ila al-Amam" (A Statement from the Syrian Muslim Brothers: A Call to Further the National Action), January 15, 2001. This statement as well as all other recent statements by the Brothers can be found on their website, www.ikhwan-muslimoon-syria.org.
45. Al-Hayat, November 18, 2000, pp. 1,6.
46. Issam Hamza, "Syria's first private newspaper is sell-out," Reuters, February 27, 2001.
47. "Muqabala Ma' al-Ra'is Bashar Al-Asad" (Interview with President Bashar al-Asad), Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London) February 8, 2001, p. 1.
48. "Muqabala Ma' al-Ra'is Bashar Al-Asad" (Interview with President Bashar al-Asad), Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London) February 8, 2001, p. 1.
49. Ibrahim Hamidi, "Suriyya: Tajmid Nashat al-Muntadayyat ba'da Talab al-Sulta Muwaffaqa Musbaqa", (Syrian Government Freezes Forums After Requiring that They Seek Permits in Advance) Al-Hayat, February 17, 2001, p. 1.
50. Ibrahim Hamidi, "Suriyya: Tajmid Nashat al-Muntadayyat ba'da Talab al-Sulta Muwaffaqa Musbaqa", (Syrian Government Freezes Forums After Requiring that They Seek Permits in Advance) Al-Hayat, February 17, 2001, p. 1.
51. "Riyyah Barida Tahub ala Rabi' Dimashq" (Cold Winds Blow through Damascus' Spring) on www.middle-east-online.com, February 18, 2001.
52. It was Vice President Khaddam who referred to these two examples in his meeting with university professors.
53. Al-Quds al-'Arabi, July 20, 2000, p. 19.
54. "Nahw 'Aqd Ijtima'i watani Fi Suriyya: Tawafuqat Wataniyya 'Amma," Toward a New National Societal Pact in Syria, Al-Hayat, April 16, 2001, p. 4.
55. "Nahw 'Aqd Ijtima'i watani Fi Suriyya: Tawafuqat Wataniyya 'Amma," Toward a New National Societal Pact in Syria, Al-Hayat, April 16, 2001, p. 4.
56. "Mashru' Mithaq Sharaf Watani li-l 'Amal al-Siyassi," A Proposal for an Honorable National Pact for Political Action. It was issued on May 4, 2001.
57. Al-Hayat, May 5, 2001, p. 4.
58. The interview aired May 7, 2001.
59. Interview with Al-Jazeera, August 15, 2001. He was introduced as spokesman of a newly formed organization, "The National Council for Truth, Justice and Reconciliation."
60. Ibrahim al-Hamidi, "Na'ib Suri Yudrib 'an al-Ta'am" (A Syrian Parliamentarian Stages a Hunger Strike), Al-Hayat, August 7, 2001, pp. 1 & 6.
61. Ibrahim al-Hamidi, "Na'ib Suri Yudrib 'an al-Ta'am" (A Syrian Parliamentarian Stages a Hunger Strike), Al-Hayat, August 7, 2001, pp. 1 & 6.
62. Syria's role in the resistance against the Israeli forces has been repeatedly acknowledged by Hizbullah's leaders.
63. See also Leonard B. Zuza, "Price of Peace: Funding Arab-Israeli Peace Agreements," Middle East Insight Vol.15, No. 3, (May-June 2000), pp.5-11.
64. This list hasn't changed since 1993. During this period, Syria has taken major strides to distance itself from "terrorist" organizations and activities.