(CNN) -- Before the Arab Spring came the Damascus Spring. When Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father Hafez Assad in 2000, there was the promise of a modern and more democratic Syria. 

In his inauguration speech, al-Assad indicated he would be a very different kind of leader to his father. "I shall try my very best to lead our country towards a future that fulfils the hopes and legitimate ambitions of our people," he said. 

And for a while that promise was kept. His official website says he has built free-trade zones, licensed more private newspapers and private universities, and fought government waste and corruption. He has also worked on social and economic reform. 

But while there have been some changes during his rule, many say al-Assad's promises have largely not been delivered. 

Human Rights Watch has called his time as president "the wasted decade" with a media that remains controlled by the state, a monitored and censored internet and prisons still filled with dissidents. 

Two former regime insiders -- now its opponents -- recalled their time with the younger al-Assad. Former vice president Abdel Halim Khaddam said Bashar was often the victim of his elder brother's cruelty. "His brother Basil bullied him as a child. His father never gave him as much attention as Basil," Khaddam said. 

Al-Assad's uncle Rifaat, who left Syria in 1984 after being involved in a failed coup, also recalled the future president. 

"He is very different than his father. Hafez was a leader, the head of the entire regime, while Bashar was never that close to being one and never fell within that framework. He is being perceived as the leader but he follows what the regime decides on his behalf." 
What came before the Arab Spring?
Who succeeded his father?
Who was his father?
When?
Was there a promise?
of what?
What does his website say he built?
Anything else?
What kind of reform has he worked on?
Have there been changes under his rule?
Has he delivered on his promise?
What did a group call his time as president?
Who said that
who is Abdel Halim Khaddam?
Who is Basil?
Who is  Rifaat?
When did he leave Syria?
Why?
Did he say Bashar was different than his father?
Does he think Bashar is a leader?
Damascus Spring
Before the Arab Spring came the Damascus Spring
Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father Hafez Assad
Hafez Assad
his father Hafez Assad
2000
father Hafez Assad in 2000
Yes
 there was the promise of a modern and more democratic Syria
A more modern and democratic Syria
a modern and more democratic Syria
Free-trade zones
His official website says he has built free-trade zones
He fought government waste and corruption
fought government waste and corruption
Social and economic
social and economic
Yes
But while there have been some changes during his rule
Many say no.
many say al-Assad's promises have largely not been delivered
The wasted decade
Human Rights Watch has called his time as president "the wasted decade"
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch 
Former vice president of Syria
Former vice president Abdel Halim Khaddam 
Bashar's brother
"His brother Basil
Al-Assad's uncle
Al-Assad's uncle Rifaat
1984
Rifaat, who left Syria in 1984
He was involved in a failed coup
after being involved in a failed coup
Yes
"He is very different than his father.
No
while Bashar was never that close to being one