Hafez al-Assad

Hafez al-Assad was a Syrian politician who served as President from 1971 until his death in 2000. His son Bashar al-Assad succeeded him as president but faced widespread protests and opposition. Rifaat al-Assad, the brother of Hafez al-Assad and uncle of Bashar al-Assad, died recently at the age of 89. His death has sparked recent news articles discussing Syria's post-Assad era, including the recent ouster of President Bashar al-Assad and the ongoing struggles of Syrian businesses to adapt to a new cultural flux. The articles also touch on the legacy of Rifaat al-Assad, who was known as the 'Butcher of Hama' for his role in a 1982 uprising that killed up to 40,000 civilians. His death has brought attention to the ongoing challenges facing Syria and the need for accountability for past human rights abuses.