What Does the Future Hold for Bashar al-Assad and Syria in the Aftermath of Civil War?

Bashar al-Assad, the current president of Syria, was born on September 11, 1965, into a prominent family deeply entrenched in politics and military. His father, Hafez al-Assad, was a significant figure in Syrian history, serving as president from 1971 until his death in 2000. Bashar was initially not groomed for the presidency; that role was intended for his older brother, Bassel. However, following Bassel's tragic death in a car accident in 1994, Bashar was thrust into the spotlight.