IV.  POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

Syria is ruled by an authoritarian regime which exhibits the forms of a
democratic system, but in which President Asad wields almost absolute
authority.  President Asad's government has held power longer than any other
Syrian government since independence.  In March 1992, President Asad began his
fourth seven-year term as president.  His survival is due partly to a  strong
desire for political stability as well as to his government's success to
giving previously disadvantaged groups a greater stake in society.  The
expansion of the bureaucracy has created a class which owes its position to
Asad, whose strength is due also to the continued loyalty of the army and the
effectiveness of Syria's large internal security apparatus.  The several main
branches of the security apparatus operate independently of each other and
outside of the legal system.  Each continues to be responsible for human
rights violations.

Key decisions regarding foreign policy, national security and the economy are
made by President Asad with counsel from his advisers.  The parliament,
elected every four years, cannot initiate laws and has no independent
authority, but its views on economic policy are considered by government
policy-makers.

The U.S. and Syria work closely together on the Middle East peace process.
The U.S. continues to have serious bilateral differences with Syria, however.
Syria is on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and is subject to
legislatively mandated penalties, including export sanctions and ineligibility
for U.S. aid or the purchase of military equipment.

Other issues of concern include Syria's human rights record, the involvement
of some Syrian military and security officials in the Lebanon drug trade, and
Syria's attempts to acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction.