Political Geography 2

China - Xi Jinping
son of revolutionary veteran Xi Zhongxun
wife well-known folk singer Peng Liyuan
daughter Xi Mingze studies at Harvard University

France - Francois Hollande
no previous experience in national government position
wife (4 four) 30 years relationship but never married
born 1954 Rouen
father physician/ doctor (right wing) mother social worker (left wing)
shared information

Israel - Binyamin Netanyahu
lived in US with family when he was a child
brother Jonathan (Yonni) was killed by terrorist in July 1976, in the course of the Entebbe Operation, of which he was one of the commanders. Netanyahu returned to Israel and started to advocate international cooperation in fighting terrorism.
Quote: "There are those who say that if the Holocaust had not occurred, the State of Israel would never have been established. But I say that if the State of Israel would have been established earlier, the Holocaust would not have occurred."

United Kingdom - David Cameron
at 7 years old he was packed off to Heatherdown and then came to Eton
first child died (disabled) in February 2009
the youngest Prime Minister (43) in over 200 years

Elizabeth became queen on February 6, 1952, and was crowned on June 2, 1953.  Her reign has lasted 60 years - and counting

Russia - Vladimir Putin
served as president of Russia from 2000 - 2008, and was re-elected in 2012
previously served as Russia's Prime Minister.
born 1952 10 7 Leningrad
law degree, career in KGB as an intelligence officer
stationed mainly in East Germany and held that position until 1990, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel

Syria - Bashar al-Assad
born 1965 9 11
succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad who led Syria for 30 years
elder brother Bassel was killed in car crush
graduated from the medical school,work as doctor in army
was asked to take over as heir apparent
He ordered mass crackdowns and military sieges on Arab Spring protesters, leading to the Syrian Civil War
The Syrian opposition, the United States, Canada, the European Union and the majority of the Arab League have called for al-Assad's resignation from the presidency
During the Syrian Civil War, an inquiry by the United Nations human rights chief found evidence to implicate Assad in war crimes and crimes against humanity.