The government of Bashar Assad in Syria collapsed this sunday marking an end to a long civil conflict that turned the country into a battleground for world powers (both regional and global)
His last day as president showed a huge difference from his start: back in early 2000s Assad seemed like a fresh face for Syria - a young tech-loving doctor with western values who might bring changes to the country. At just 34 he took power after his fathers strict 30-year rule; being an eye doctor with education from abroad made him look different from typical middle-east leaders
The transformation from a mild-mannered computer enthusiast to a leader in civil war shocked many who knew him in his early days - when he was known as a shy person interested in modern tech and medical science. His background as an ophthalmologist and his british wife made some think heʼd be more open to western ideas: however things went another way