1. The Godfather A Brief History of Modern Syria Doris Bittar James Rauch

2. It all began with an isolated mountain people, living in a neglected region of a Mediterranean country famed for its rich cultural heritage … The Mountains of Sicily The Alawite Mountains

3. One man clawed his way to leadership, using a combination of tactical brilliance and ruthless killing… Vito Corleone (the Lion-hearted) Hafez al-Assad (the Lion)

4. He groomed his eldest son to assume leadership of the family enterprise… Sonny CorleoneBassel al-Assad

5. But the eldest son was hot-headed and reckless, and was killed in a vehicle-related incident… Sonny Corleone was assassinated at a tollbooth Bassel al-Assad drove his Mercedes off the road

6. The father mourned the death of his eldest son, and recruited his younger son to take his place. The younger son had lived abroad and become highly educated and respected… Michael CorleoneBashar al-Assad

7. The younger son’s reputation was enhanced by his marriage to a beautiful, blond, articulate woman… Kay CorleoneAsma al-Assad

8. Hopes for reform grew following the father’s death. The younger son’s assumption of leadership seemed to promise a break from the family’s violent ways … The funeral of Vito Corleone The funeral of Hafez al-Assad

9. But these hopes were dashed, as the younger son proved to be even more ruthless than the father…

10. To be continued…