Proper noun
Assad (plural Assads)
An Arab surname, notably borne by Syrian presidents Hafez al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad.
The word 'democracy' and the name of Assad do not blend very well in much of Syria. Robert Fisk
Why aren't we letting ISIS go and fight Assad and then we pick up the remnants? Donald Trump
The Syrian Ba'ath Party claims to have 2.3 million members - but most of that consists of people who need membership to get a job or be promoted. Leaving aside a few thousand top cadre (mostly from the Alawite minority to which Assad belongs), the Ba'ath Party is no more than an empty shell. Amir Taheri
Clinton impressed Assad: a young man who appeared to want to be neutral in the Arab-Israeli dispute - an illusion of course, but that's what Assad thought. Robert Fisk
Unless there is meaningful change in Syria and an end to the crackdown, President Assad and those around him will find themselves isolated internationally and discredited within Syria. William Hague
While all Alawites fear vengeance against their entire community should Assad fall, there are varying degrees of loyalty to the Assads. Elliott Abrams