Bashar Hafez al-Assad

Bashar Hafez al-Assad (September 11, 1965 - Present) is the President Elect of Syria (Elected into Office in July 17, 2000, Re-elected in 2007, next election to be held in 2014). Bashar Hefez Al-Assad is the son of Hafez al-Assad, Syria's former dictator. Bashar studied medicine at the University of Damascus in 1988, and graduated. He became a medic in Syria's armed forces. Latter he furthered his studies in the UK, where he became a practicing phycisian who specialized in Ophthalmology (he was an eye doctor). In 1994 his elder brother died in a car crash, and Bashar was summoned back ot his homeland to take on his brother's role as heir apparent. When he returned it was insisted he study at the military academy to further his future role as Command in Chief of Syria's Armed forces (a role he does not hold as he is merely the President, under Syria's current consitution the military is commanded separately). When his father died, Bashar was appointed head of state, still uncertian if he really wanted to rule, Bashar became a reformer turning Syria into a democratic state. In 2000 he organized a free election in which he won by 97% of the popular vote. Bashar runs a secular government, though he is muslim. He helped to draft a new constitution in 2012, which limited the power of the Ba'ath Party, and limited the presidents term to seven years, with one re-election. The constitution came into effect on Febuary 27, 2012. Some issues concerning his governance have arose in recent times, with foriegn forces from Afganistan attempting to end his presidency though force.