Assad, Bashar al-

Assad, Bashar al- (bäshär` äl-äs`säd), 1965–, Syrian political leader, son of Hafez al-Assad. A medical doctor, he left Syria (1992) for an ophthamology residency in London when his elder brother, Basil, his father's designated heir, was killed (1994) in an automobile accident. Assad returned to Syria and was groomed as his father's successor, attending the Homs military academy and attaining (1999) the rank of colonel. Upon the his father's death (2000), he was named head of the ruling Ba'ath party and was nominated as president; he was confirmed in the office by referendum. Assad has attempted to modernize Syria and its army, lessen corruption, improve the economy, and maintain Syria's domination over Lebanon while maintaining a tight hold on power.