City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

The new lion of Damascus, Bashar al-Asad and modern Syria, David W. Lesch

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 246-276) and index

contains biographical information

platesmapsillustrations

index present

non fiction

The new lion of Damascus

dictionariesbibliography

David W. Lesch

"Is Syria a rogue state? How important is it to the fates of Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Lebanon? This is the inside story. David Lesch has had unique and extraordinary access to Syria's president, his circle, and his family. At a critical juncture in the history of the Middle East this is the essential account of contemporary Syria and its enigmatic leader." "Bashar al-Asad succeeded his father, Hafiz al-Asad, as Syrian president in 2000. Inheriting a worn-down dictatorship, he soon encountered momentous regional and international issues involving the global war on terror and the growth of democracy in the Middle East. While Bashar seeks a seamless integration into a changing political environment, many in Syria fear the loss of the political and economic power they enjoyed during the reign of Hafiz al-Asad." "David Lesch's account of contemporary Syria and its leader is vital to an understanding of Syria's current place in the world, its past, present, and future. The fate of Syria says much about what type of Middle East is emerging, and that fate is very much tied to Syria's young ophthalmologist-turned-president, Bashar al-Asad."--Jacket

Bashar al-Asad and modern Syria

Two phone calls -- The Asads of Syria -- Syria in the Middle East -- From eye doctor to heir apparent -- Seasons in Damascus -- The "rogue state" and the United States -- A "strategic choice for peace" -- Syria is not Iraq -- "The raw material is the brain" -- The man