alAssad

Al-Assad is an Arabic surname meaning "the lion" and is most commonly associated with a prominent Syrian political family that has dominated governance in Syria since the 1970s. The name is transliterated in various ways, including al-Assad and al-Assad, and it is linked to the ruling circle of the Syrian state and its security apparatus through several generations.

Hafez al-Assad (1930–2000) rose to power after Syria's Corrective Movement in 1970 and served as president from 1971 until his death in 2000. His rule consolidated state control through the security services, maintained one-party dominance under the Ba'ath Party, and pursued alliances in the Arab world and with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. His era established a centralized system of governance that shaped Syrian politics for decades.

Bashar al-Assad (born 1965) succeeded his father in 2000 after constitutional changes allowed his candidacy. Initially signaling reform, his presidency faced the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, followed by a long period of conflict marked by heavy government crackdowns, widespread humanitarian crises, and shifting regional dynamics. The Assad government has relied on Russian and Iranian support to sustain the regime amid international sanctions and diplomatic pressures.

Other notable members include Rifaat al-Assad (brother of Hafez, former high-ranking official and exile), Bassel al-Assad (brother who died in 1994), Maher al-Assad (brother and key military figure), and Asma al-Assad (Bashar’s wife). The al-Assad family is closely associated with Syria’s Alawite community and has maintained a long-standing, centralized dominant role in the country's political structure.