Assad 's first choice of successor was his brother Rifaat al - Assad and his brother 's coup attempt weakened the institutionalised power structure on which he based his rule .
His brother Rifaat al - Assad is an idea he broached as early as 1980 .
Assad 's first choice of successor was his brother Rifaat al - Assad , an idea he broached as early as 1980 , and his brother 's coup attempt weakened the institutionalised power structure on which he based his rule .