Bashar al-Assad (Better 2000s)

Bashar al-Assad is the heir apparent of Syria's presidency since the death of his brother, Bassel in 1994. He's currently (2000) undergoing training for the position. He's currently in charge of the Syrian presence in Lebanon and president of the Syrian Computer Society which has helped introduce Syrians to the internet.

Childhood and Education
Bashar is one of five born to Hafez al-Assad. His eldest brother, Bassel, was always to be the heir apparent with Assad showing little interest in governing the nation nor in military affairs. He wasn't very close to his father, seeing him mostly as 'the president' rather then a paternal figure. Bashar is said to have been quite, soft-spoken, shy, and avoiding of eye contact. He was educated at an Arab-French school in Damascus and upon graduating high school enrolled in the study of medicine at Damascus University.

Medicine
In 1988 Bashar graduated from Damascus University and began work as an Army Doctor on the outskirts of Damascus before moving to London to futher his education seeking to become an Optometrist. His fellow students at the Western Eye Hospital (during his undergraduate study) discribed him as 'the I.T. geeky guy'. Bashar's venture into a life of medicine was abruptly interrupted when in 1994 his brother, drunk and having committed various deviant acts in Damascus, had a fatal car crash ending his life- Bashar was contacted with the news and an urgent call by the Syrian Army to Syria for the sake of the nation's stability. Bashar left that year.

Preparing for the Presidency
Bashar's father Hafez announced Bashar as the heir apparent for the Bar'ath party. Hafez began by building support for Bashar in the militayr by enrolling him in the Military Academy at Homs. Intent on making a soldier out of a doctor- to further support older commanders uncertain of Bashar's ability to govern where retired and replaced with individuals who had shown themselves agreeable to Bashar's eventually leadership. Bashar became a Colonel in the Republic Guard in 1999. A year prior he was given command of the Syrian Presence in Lebanon as a ground for him to practice governorship. In this role, and after consulting lebanese politicians, he oversaw the installment of Emile Lahound as President of Lebanon and to weaken the syrian presence in Lebanon replaced the old high commissioner. As of 2000 he's head of a bureau tasked with collecting civil complaints and appeals and in such position has lead a campaign against curroption in the state. He's also head of the Syrian Computer Society and has introduced Syrians to the internet. His work in cleaning up the state has earned him, along with his physician like concern, the people's high approval.

Developer Notes

 * Only events after January 1, 2000 may be altered.