The Ba'ath Party is a political party founded in the 1940s in Syria, promoting Arab nationalism and socialism. Its name means "Resurrection" in Arabic, reflecting its goal of uniting Arab countries and creating a single Arab state. The party gained significant influence in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria. The Ba'ath Party has been associated with authoritarian regimes, most notably under leaders like Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Bashar al-Assad in Syria. The party's ideology emphasizes secularism, social justice, and economic development, but it has often been criticized for its repressive tactics and lack of political freedoms.