What came before the Arab Spring?
Damascus Spring
Who succeeded his father?
Bashar al-Assad
Who was his father?
Hafez Assad
When?
2000
Was there a promise?
Yes
of what?
A more modern and democratic Syria
What does his website say he built?
Free-trade zones
Anything else?
He fought government waste and corruption
What kind of reform has he worked on?
Social and economic
Have there been changes under his rule?
Yes
Has he delivered on his promise?
Many say no.
What did a group call his time as president?
The wasted decade
Who said that
Human Rights Watch
who is Abdel Halim Khaddam?
Former vice president of Syria
Who is Basil?
Bashar's brother
Who is  Rifaat?
Al-Assad's uncle
When did he leave Syria?
1984
Why?
He was involved in a failed coup
Did he say Bashar was different than his father?
Yes
Does he think Bashar is a leader?
No