The Syrian presidency has been held by the Al-Assad family since 1971. Hafez al-Assad, the first president from the family, ruled until his death in 2000. He was succeeded by his son, Bashar al-Assad, who has been in power since then. Both presidents have maintained a strong grip on power, often using military force to suppress dissent. The presidency in Syria is a powerful position, with significant control over the government and military. The Ba'ath Party, which promotes Arab nationalism and socialism, has been the ruling party during both presidencies. The political landscape in Syria has been marked by conflict, especially during the ongoing civil war that began in 2011.