Assad Bows to Iran, Even in Clothing
from Pressure Points and Middle East Program

Assad Bows to Iran, Even in Clothing

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Check out these two photos of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad, celebrating the Eid al-Adha in 2012 and 2016. The men to his left and right are the same people, dressed the same way. But Assad is now affecting Iranian style: ties are for the hated Western imperialists and colonialists, and Assad here renouncing them here just as Iranian officials always do.

Sartorial evidence of growing Iranian control of Assad and Syria is a tiny and amusing hint of a deep and dangerous, though equally, obvious, fact: Assad cannot survive without the support of the ayatollahs. He will bow to them in everything from military tactics to his own clothing.

 

 

 

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (2nd R) performs prayers for Eid al-Adha, at al-Afram Mosque in al-Muhajirin area in Damascus October 26, 2012, in this handout photograph released by Syria’s national news agency SANA (SANA/Reuters).
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (2nd R) performs prayers for Eid al-Adha, at al-Afram Mosque in al-Muhajirin area in Damascus October 26, 2012, in this handout photograph released by Syria’s national news agency SANA (SANA/Reuters).

 

 

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad prays during the first day of Eid al-Adha at a mosque in the Damascus suburb of Daraya, Syria in this handout picture provided by SANA on September 12, 2016. (SANA/Reuters).
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad prays during the first day of Eid al-Adha at a mosque in the Damascus suburb of Daraya, Syria in this handout picture provided by SANA on September 12, 2016. (SANA/Reuters).

 

More on:

Iran

Middle East and North Africa

Syria