With the West fixated on the gangly, almost effeminate figure of Bashar al Assad, his more nefarious brother has managed to avoid the spotlight altogether: until now.
Accused of being the man behind the order to attack civilians with sarin gas last month, Maher al Assad is emerging as the dark figure behind the more polished Bashar.
But Bashar needs Maher, just as much as Maher needs Bashar. Maher is glad to do the dirty work for his older brother. At the same time, if people thought that the epitome of tyranny rested with Bashar, they should think twice before wishing that Bashar be eliminated. If Maher goes to power, it will make Bashar's reign look benevolent in comparison.
Maher has long held the military power in Syria. With it, goes the decision making over what weapons to use. He has no compunction in abusing any of them. Maher is also in charge of the Shabiya, the most ferocious elite unit in Syria, and the unit chiefly responsible for most civilians massacres so far.
Maher however, is no show-off. His ability to remain in the shadows has prompted some concern. The little that we know of him is not good: but what we do not know, may be much worse. And that is what strategist now must contend with: either know thy enemy, or risk worse than the present complications of the Syria conflict.
Maher is Bashar's only surviving brother. For that reason keeping a low profile is a must for him. But he is not loath to get in the mix when needed. He famously shot his would-be brother in law when his sister was trying to marry him without the family, and his, consent.
The story is too reminiscent of Saddam's ferocious offsprings to not ring a bell. But as far as tyrants go, their spawn seem to behave predictably in unison, wherever they may rule.
Maher however, might not have the chops to succeed Bashar. He is much too uninterested and maybe incapable of understanding the political wranglings that come with absolute power. He seems to want to remain the enforcer, but also the dandy of the family, a person with purely hedonistic and sadistic inclinations.
Whereas Bashar has carefully crafted an image of the 'Renaissance man' with wide cultural interests and Western style garb, Maher is the more gritty muscle man. But as far as keeping Syria in bondage, they work in lockstep, and one could not possibly be ousted without the other.
Partial Source : CNN/ 9.10.13
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