The Rise of Bashar al-Assad: From Reluctant Heir to Authoritarian Leader

<p>&nbsp;On Sunday, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, where he’s been granted political asylum. This comes after rebels seized Damascus, Syria’s capital city, on that same day.</p><p><br></p><p>Assad’s fall from power marks the end of 50 years of brutal rule by his family. His father, Hafez al-Assad, a longtime military officer, was known for his iron fist.</p><p><br></p><p>Joshua Landis is the head of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, and a leading expert on Syria.</p><p><br></p><p>He explains the significance of Bashar al-Assad’s fall, and looks back on the Assad family’s half a century in power.</p><p><br></p><p>For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts</a></p>