Syria: An introduction

This note provides an introduction to Syria, its politics, history, and international relations. It gives an overview of Syria's political system and examines the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who won a second term of office on 29 May 2007. The note also considers Syria's human rights record. In addition, it examines Syria's relationships within the Middle East – with Lebanon, Israel, Iraq and Iran – and with the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. Finally, it provides suggestions for further reading.