| Pro-Assad demonstration in , 20 June 2011 In July 2011, U | and other countries backing the opposition will eventually conclude that the regime is a necessary partner on the ground in confronting this jihadi threat", while Robin Wright of the Middle East Program at the has stated "the outside world's decision to focus on ISIS has ironically lessened the pressure on Assad |
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| To further weaken the old Syrian order in Lebanon, Bashar replaced the long-serving de facto Syrian of Lebanon, , with | Speakwell Cordall, Simon 21 June 2014 |
Assad used Syria's seat in one of the rotating positions on the to try to prevent the invasion of Iraq.
30| They also reportedly helped Syria develop a suspected nuclear reactor in the | Middle East Monitor — The Latest from the Middle East |
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| The leader of and , , has said that electing President Assad means "preserving Syria's unity and sovereignty and that it will help end the crisis and confront terrorism, wishing prosperity and safety to Syria" | Iraqi president threatened Assad with an international tribunal over the matter, and ultimately lead to the , and United States airstrikes within Syria during the Iraq War |
Intelligence chief was placed under house arrest sometime in April and stood accused of plotting with Assad's exiled uncle to replace Bashar as president.
11| Nebehay, Stephanie 10 June 2014 | Senator in 2009 Assad met with U |
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| called on the Obama administration to create a war crimes to investigate and prosecute violations "whether committed by the officials of the Government of Syria or other parties to the civil war" | Opposition parties were not allowed in the country and Assad was the only candidate in the referendum |