Word: assad
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Though Jackson had intended a return visit to Beirut and a trip to Damascus, Sadat now suddenly sent him in a presidential jet bearing personal messages to the P.L.O. chief and to Syrian President Hafez Assad. Sadat's bizarre action left diplomatic observers puzzled, as Jackson was a newcomer to Middle East politics, and there were more appropriate, Arab candidates at hand. Jackson, nevertheless, left immediately for Beirut, where he briefed Arafat on Sadat's proposal: cessation of P.L.O. hostilities against Israel in the hope of winning Israeli recognition. Arafat immediately called a meeting of the P.L.O. Central...
...Aleppo massacre, and the swift retribution against the Muslim Brotherhood that followed, were chilling reminders of the deep political and religious tensions that continue to plague Syria and now seem to threaten President Hafez Assad himself. By skillful manipulation of Syria's diverse religious, tribal and regional elements, he has given his country almost ten years of internal stability...
Nevertheless, there are growing signs that his tenure may be jeopardized by serious internal strains and by his own frail health, which may involve blood cancer.* The vast majority of Syrians are Sunni Muslims; Assad and most of his top officials are Alawites, who make up only 11% of the population. The Islamic revival that has swept through Iran has had its effect in Syria. Baffled by rapid change and denied the outlet of free political expression, Syria's youth has displayed a renewed interest in traditional religion; the new mood has served to strengthen the Sunni community...
Perhaps the most dangerous development has been growing unrest in the military, still Assad's power base. Alawites hold senior positions throughout the armed forces, and Assad himself is commander in chief of the air force, but most of the enlisted men are Sunni Muslims who increasingly resent domination by their officers. Israeli intelligence experts speculate that a revolutionary mood may have swept through Syrian armor and infantry units, touching off fears of a coup. After the execution of the 15 brotherhood members, all of whom were Sunni Muslims, Rifaat's tank units rolled into Damascus and took...
...prospect of Assad's downfall is a chilling thought for Washington. Although he has contributed virtually nothing to the current peace process in the Middle East, the Syrian President is still regarded as a moderate at heart. Chances are that his replacement would be someone amenable to the zealous wishes of the Muslim Brotherhood-most likely meaning stronger opposition to any negotiations with Israel and greater hostility to Egypt's lonely approach to peace...