The winding year saw the rise of figures and phenomena that promise to be of crucial importance this year. Al-Ahram Weekly keeps track of a changing vista It may be too far-fetched to think of fending for himself in a courtroom this year the way Saddam Hussein did last year. Yet recent political developments suggest time is running out for the young Syrian president. He must reverse the tide of concessions and upsets suffered by his regime all throughout 2005. For following the killing of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri, Syria stood accused of the crime. The regime has since been facing mounting pressure to acquiesce to international demands for additional cooperation in the investigation of Al-Hariri's death. Last week Al-Assad was dealt an even greater blow when his former vice-president Abdul- Halim Khaddam publicly testified to Al-Assad personally threatening Al-Hariri -- a move that has placed Damascus under unprecedented pressure, for it was the first instance of an accusing finger pointed from within. And, though already the UN investigation committee has formally requested to interview President Al-Assad, Damascus has yet to respond officially. But whether or not the regime complies -- either Al-Assad will be seen as a weak president or pressure will mount -- the future of Baath Party rule in Syria is unequivocally undermined. The situation is all the more difficult in light of the fact that, having been in power for less than six years, Al-Assad has little to show for himself in terms of major accomplishments. Syria's strategic position is weaker now that its troops have withdrawn from Lebanon, while Al-Assad, who succeeded his father in 2000, has failed to live up to the hopes pinned on the Western-educated young physician. Even if he avoids the fate of Saddam, Al-Assad will still have to put up a very serious fight. By Hicham Safieddine
