Al-Ahram Weekly 15 - 21 June 2000 Issue No. 486
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875

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Assad's funeral procession passes before one of the ubiquitous posters of the leader (photos: news agencies) Since the death of Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad the region has been in a state of suspended animation. The question of succession, quite naturally, has been subjected to intense debate, while the future of the peace process is no less pressing. One thing, at any rate, seems clear: with the passing of Hafez Al-Assad the very definition of the Arab world -- which he contributed in shaping with 30 years of pan-Arab efforts -- is changing. His death signals the end of an era and heralds a transformation of the geo-political map. In the space of a few brief days, seemingly immutable realities have been relegated to the past, once and for all. As for the future, it seems clear it will, in large part, rest on Bashar's shoulders, to be determined by his decision to either perpetuate his father's legacy or effect a dramatic change in Syria's domestic and foreign policy. Paying homage to the late pan-Arab nationalist leader, Al-Ahram Weekly ponders these questions -- and others -- in an effort to determine the shape of a future without Hafez Al-Assad

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A lion to the last Nabil Zaki pays homage to a courageous Arab leader who, till the very last moment of his life, held on to a vision as consistent as his convictions Another turn of the wheel David Hirst charts the career of the formidable leader who made Syria a force to be reckoned with, even while giving it 30 years of stability. Will it last? All eyes on Bashar Who is Bashar Al-Assad? Having emerged only six years ago as the designated heir to the Syrian presidency, Bashar has been working hard to learn the ropes, discovers Willa Thayer A roar from afar Bashar's uncle may be the greatest threat to his succession. Sherif El-Showbashi writes A sordid good-bye Tarek Atia soaks up three days of the Western media's propaganda-drenched coverage of Assad's death Hereditary succession in a republic Contradictions abound in Assad being succeeded by his son. Yet is it so very unexpected, asks Diaa Rashwan Archive Photos Hafez Al-Assad among Arab and Muslim brethern. Archive Photos The legacy and the legatee Bashar Assad will be the next President of Syria. Can he manage both continuity and change? Graham Usher looks at the hard road ahead Prioritising Syrian stability Egypt is closely watching the transfer of power in Damascus. Dina Ezzat reports on Cairo's concerns Promoting continuity Following news of the death of Syria's president, Egypt was quick to express both its shock and support of his heir apparent, reports Nevine Khalil End of an era? Does Assad's death signal the end of an era? Omayma Abdel-Latif surveys the views of Egypt's political community Dates with Damascus Israel and the Palestinians both have hopes of Bashar Al-Assad. The only certain thing is that he cannot please them both, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem Handling the Lebanese file While Lebanese-Syrian ties are expected to remain strong under a Bashar regime, a thus-far elusive Israeli-Syrian peace could modify the equation, Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut Bygones will not be bygone Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, a familiar face in Arab state funerals, was in Damascus on Tuesday for the first time in six years. But was he welcome? Khaled Dawoud, in Damascus, writes Iranian anxieties A new president in Syria -- Iran's principal regional ally -- is a matter of pressing concern in Tehran. Azadeh Moaveni writes from the Iranian capital on the likely fallout Still waters run deep 'Wait-and-see' appears to be the Turkish approach towards its southern neighbour, says Gareth Jenkins in Istanbul Gulf strikes a note of gratitude Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states joined in expressing grief over the loss of a valued ally. Mohamed Abdellah reports from Jeddah Open doors for Bashar The Americans hope that Bashar Al-Assad will prove more flexible than his father but concede that no breakthrough in the peace negotiations with Israel is likely soon. Hoda Tewfik writes from Washington For old times' sake Future Russian-Syrian relations? Abdel-Malek Khalil ponders the view from Moscow Birds of a feather The hierarchy of foreign representation at Assad's funeral inevitably reflected who were and who weren't the Syrian leader's friends abroad, writes Gamal Nkrumah

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