This report the country of Syria following the rule of Hafiz al-Asad. Dr. Bashar al-Asad seems poised to succeed his father, the late President Hafiz al-Asad, following the latter's death from a heart attack on June 10, 2000; however, Bashar is untested and may face challenges from other leading figures or dissidents. No major changes in Syria's position on peace talks with Israel or relations with the United States seem likely while the successor regime consolidates its control.