Assad refers to Bashar al-Assad, the current President of Syria (since 2000), or his family. Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria from 1971 to 2000. The Assad family has held political power in Syria since Hafez al-Assad's rise to power through a military coup.
More broadly, Assad can also refer to the political regime established by the Assad family, characterized by an authoritarian governance style, a centralized power structure, and a suppression of political opposition. Under the Assad regime, Syria has experienced periods of relative stability, but it has also been marked by a history of political repression, human rights abuses, and conflict.
The Assad government has faced significant challenges, including a brutal civil war that began in 2011 as part of the wider Arab Spring uprisings. The conflict, involving both domestic opposition groups and regional and international actors, has resulted in widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life, and has drawn global attention.
The term "Assad" is often used in political and media discussions to refer to the policies, actions, and controversies associated with the Syrian president or the Assad regime. It carries connotations that vary depending on the perspective of the speaker or writer, with some viewing Assad as a dictator responsible for human rights violations, while others may perceive him as a defender of Syrian sovereignty against external interference.
