As the crisis unfolded , experts looked beyond the day 's events to the roots of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 's power for insights into the 16-month rebellion that grips the Middle Eastern nation . Al - Hassan grew up in the shadow of his father , the late president Hafez al - Assad . His father ruled with iron fist , jailing some dissidents and marginalizing others . His brother , Bashar , enjoyed rare privileges and freedom as he studied abroad . But those in Europe and the US initially seemed heartened by the incoming president .
Al - Hassan grew up in the shadow of his father , the late president Hafez al - Assad . His father ruled with iron fist , jailing some dissidents and marginalizing others . His brother , Bashar , enjoyed rare privileges and freedom as he studied abroad . But those in Europe and the US initially seemed heartened by the incoming president .