The Assad family, led by Bashar al-Assad since 2000, has maintained a tight grip on Syria through authoritarian means. Bashar inherited the regime from his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled with an iron fist for 30 years, suppressing any opposition through imprisonment and violence. Initially, there was hope for reform as Bashar was Western-educated and seemed open to modernization. However, these hopes were dashed as he resisted change even during the Arab uprisings in 2011, choosing instead to declare war on dissenters and blaming foreign conspiracies for the unrest. The regime's survival during the early years of the Syrian Civil War was partly due to support from certain Syrian factions, including the Alawites and Christian militias, as well as external backing from Iran and Hezbollah. The conflict escalated with the use of chemical weapons by Assad's forces, which marked a turning point and led to Russian intervention. Despite international condemnation, Assad managed to maintain power, with Russia's military support playing a crucial role. The regime's eventual collapse was precipitated by the rebels' resurgence, leading to Assad's temporary rehabilitation in the Arab League, although his long-term victory remains uncertain.