On Sunday, Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad—once a promising ophthalmologist trained at London’s Western Eye Hospital—has fled Damascus, ending his family’s 54-year grip on power
London-trained ophthalmologist-cum-dictator Bashar al-Assad’s time in power in Syria has ended after over 13 years of civil war.
As a rebel army led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) closed in on Damascus, al-Assad fled the capital with his family for Moscow, where he has reportedly been offered political asylum.
With Bashar’s ascent to leadership in 2000, the world initially saw him as a reformist. Yet, over two decades, his rule devolved into one of brutal repression, culminating in his flight to Russia as opposition forces stormed Damascus with little resistance.
Once known as a mild-mannered computer enthusiast and ophthalmologist trained at London’s Western Eye Hospital, al-Assad’s transformation from healer to deposed tyrant with numerous war crimes to his name has left more questions than answers.
So how did we get here?
From eye doctor to autocrat
Born into Syria’s political elite, Bashar al-Assad seemed destined for a modest career in medicine rather than the presidency. After graduating from Damascus University in 1988, he worked as an army doctor at Tishrin Military Hospital before heading to London in 1992 for postgraduate training in ophthalmology at Western Eye Hospital.
Known for his reserved demeanor and interest in technology, Bashar was described as a ‘geeky I.T. guy’ during his time in the UK—notably showing little interest in politics.1
His trajectory changed abruptly in 1994 when his older brother Bassel, the family’s chosen political successor, died in a car crash. Bashar was swiftly recalled to Syria, thrust into the public eye, showered with military ranks and titles, and transformed by state propaganda into “the hope of the masses,” preparing him to carry forward the Assad dynasty’s grip on power.2
Over the next six years, an orchestrated grooming campaign unfolded. This meticulous effort focused on three fronts: solidifying Bashar’s military and security support, crafting his public image, and equipping him with tools to govern.2
Bashar cultivated his persona as a reformer and technocrat. As head of the Syrian Computer Society, he introduced the internet to Syria, aligning himself with modernization. Bashar also spearheaded an anti-corruption campaign, dismantling rivals within the regime and positioning himself as a leader for the people. Tasked with receiving citizen complaints, his growing visibility painted him as accessible and reform-minded.
However, Bashar’s initial promises of modernization and reform—dubbed the “Damascus Spring”—faded rapidly. The regime turned to fear and oppression to maintain control, squashing dissent and consolidating power through an extensive surveillance and security apparatus.3
Despite efforts to soften his image through Western media campaigns, including a controversial Vogue profile of his wife Asma as a “Rose in the Desert,” Bashar’s rule became synonymous with atrocities. His government was accused of widespred detention, torture, suspected chemical weapons attacks on his own people, and the massacre of dissidents.3
Bashar’s leadership faced its ultimate challenge in 2011 with the onset of the Arab Spring. Initial protests were met with brutal crackdowns, escalating into a civil war that lasted over a decade and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
His regime, however, endured through alliances with Iran and Russia—with the latter providing critical military support. Yet, his survival came at a great cost: a devastated economy, hollowed cities, and millions of displaced Syrians.4-6
Bashar flees, the world reacts
On Sunday, an Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source who confirmed that Bashar al-Assad and his family had been granted asylum in Moscow based on “humanitarian grounds.”
Reacting to the news, world leaders have expressed cautious optimism about Syria’s future. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, “Today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future.”
Western powers, including the United States and European Union, have pledged support for rebuilding efforts contingent on the establishment of a transitional government. “The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice,” said United States President Joe Biden, adding that it’s also “a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next.”
Vice-President of the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas makes a statement on rebuilding Syria.
Conversely, the Iranian foreign ministry has condemned the developments in a statement, calling for “the swift end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist actions, and the commencement of national dialogue.”
Bashar’s legacy
Bashar’s transformation from a promising ophthalmologist to a ruthless dictator is a stark reminder of how power can warp even the most well-intentioned beginnings. Once trained to heal, he became the face of a regime that caused immeasurable suffering and destruction. His legacy is one of broken promises, escalating violence, and a nation left in ruins.
As Bashar fades into history, the future of Syria remains uncertain, with its people and the world wondering: What comes next?
References
- Burke S. How Syria’s ‘Geeky’ President, Assad Went From Doctor to Dictator. NBC News. October 30, 2015. Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/syria-peace-talks/how-syrias-geeky-president-assad-went-doctor-dictator-n453871. Accessed on December 9, 2024.
- Gresh A. Syria: The rise and rise of Doctor Bashar. Le Monde diplomatique. July 2000. Available at: https://mondediplo.com/2000/07/07syria. Accessed on December 9, 2024.
- Human Rights Watch. No Room to Breathe: State Repression of Human Rights Activism in Syria. October 16, 2007. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/report/2007/10/16/no-room-breathe/state-repression-human-rights-activism-syria. Accessed on December 9, 2024.
- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Syrian Revolution 13 years on: Nearly 618,000 persons killed since the onset of the revolution in March 2011. March 15, 2024. Available at: https://www.syriahr.com/en/328044/. Accessed on December 9, 2024.
- Borshchevskaya A. The Treacherous Triangle of Syria, Iran, and Russia. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Spring 2023. Available at: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/treacherous-triangle-syria-iran-and-russia. Accessed on December 9, 2024.
- Laub Z. Syria’s Civil War: The Descent Into Horror. Council on Foreign Relations. February 14, 2023. Available at: https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war. Accessed on December 9, 2024.
