Bashar's Syria: The Regime and its Strategic Worldview Shmuel Bar ...

Bashar’s Syria 379Family Power Bases under BasharFamily power bases are arguably the most consistent characteristic of the patronage system.Bashar al-Asad came to the presidency of Syria not because he was Bashar but because hewas al-Asad. There is no doubt that he is highly aware of the fact that he was chosen in orderto keep the family in power and is beholden to the family and the main pillars of power, notonly for his election but also for his continued rule. This commitment, however, is not merepower politics: the nuclear al-Asad family is close-knit and the main constraint on Bashar’srule is the extended Asad family. These include, in the inner circle of the family:1. Bashar’s mother Anisa Makhlouf, who is widely perceived as the “keeper of the seal”of Hafez al-Asad’s legacy and of family cohesiveness.2. Bashar’s elder sister Bushra, an assertive and domineering figure, and her husband, AsefShawkat, who are widely considered the most influential of the clan. The couple has evenbeen popularly dubbed “the royal couple.” Ironically, Asef is probably the most similar tothe late president in his political and security modus operandi. He is intelligent, low key,and eschews military uniforms when not necessary, preferring expensive suits. He is selfconfident,businesslike and street-wise. Not having been born into the “first family,” oreven belonging to one of the more prominent Alawite families, he is perceived as being a“self-made man,” who consolidated power with his own resources and his own levers andambitions. His performance as a young officer in suppressing the Muslim Brotherhoodrebellion in Northern Syria also contributes to his reputation for ruthlessness. Bushra isviewed as an “iron lady,” the power behind both her brother, Bashar, and her husband.Her stubborn character was manifested in her marriage—eloping with Asef without herparents’ prior approval and forcing them to accept him. She is educated (she has a PhD)and is widely considered the most appropriate to follow in the role of her father, wereshe not a woman.3. Bashar’s younger brother. Maher is considered the most volatile, “thuggish,” and uncontrollablemember of the family. He is a colonel in the Republican Guards and commandsthe brigade stationed around Damascus.4. Bashar’s younger brother, Majed, who is emotionally or mentally retarded.The second circle of the family includes:1. The Makhluf family (Bashar’s mother’s family), including Adnan Makhluf and the sonsRami and Ihab, whose wealth is estimated at over $3 billion, with a hold over real estate,banking, free trade zones along the Lebanese border, duty free shops, and Syriatel (themobile phone network). Rami Makhluf is said to be particularly close to Bushra and herhusband, as well as having common business dealings with Maher. A third member ofthe family, Mohannad Makhluf, lives in the U.S.2. The Shaleesh family, including Gen. Dhu al-Himma (Zuheir) Shalish, Asef Isa Shaleesh,the general manager of SES (which traded in arms with Iraq), first cousin of Bashar.Maj. Gen. Dhu Himma Shaleesh (major shareholder in SES) heads an elite presidentialsecurity group.The al-Asad family is fractured along a number of fault lines: The split between Hafez al-Asad and his brothers Rif‘at and Jamil in the 1980s,which has carried over to the second generation; The conflict between Maher al-Asad and his brother-in-law, Asef Shawkat;58