Commanding Syria: Basher Al-Asad and the First Years in Power by Eyal Zisser (Hardcover)

Description

Commanding Syria Basher Al-Asad and the First Years in Power by Eyal Zisser is a study of the early period of Bashar al-Assad’s rule in Syria after he succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000. The book examines how Bashar, initially seen as inexperienced and untested, consolidated power and shaped the direction of Syrian politics. It explores the challenges he faced in maintaining control over the state, balancing reformist expectations with the entrenched authoritarian system he inherited.

The work analyzes Syria’s domestic situation, including the role of the Ba’ath Party, the security apparatus, and the pressures of economic and social change. It also considers Syria’s regional position, its relations with neighboring countries, and its involvement in broader Middle Eastern conflicts. Zisser presents Bashar’s leadership as a mix of continuity and cautious adaptation, reflecting both the legacy of his father and the demands of a new era.

Commanding Syria provides insight into the nature of authoritarian resilience and the complexities of leadership in the Middle East. It offers readers a detailed account of how Bashar al-Assad navigated the first years of his presidency, setting the stage for the trajectory of Syrian politics in the decades that followed.