The Six Syrians Who Help Keep Syrian President Bashar al-Assad In Power

Bashar al-Assad (right) with his brother Maher (left) and brother-in-law Major General Assef Shawkat (centre) in June 2000. Photograph: Khaled al-Hariri/Reuters

Six Syrians Who Helped Bashar al-Assad Keep Iron Grip After father's Death -- The Guardian

The core of the Syrian regime seems solid, with closeness to Assad's family more important than formal responsibilities.

Bashar al-Assad came to power amid high hopes for reform after three decades of his father Hafez's iron rule. But 11 years on he seems determined to crush the unrest sweeping across Syria. And there is no sign that he is taking a softer line than the coterie of relatives and security chiefs who advise him at the heart of the regime's inner circle in Damascus.

Syrian and western analysts, diplomats and academics say the president is bent on using force to preserve his regime – and ready to ignore international pressure.

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My Comment: I suspect that this type of attention and publicity is something that these men do not want .... especially now.