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Under Pressure, Syria Moves Toward Reform

Under intense international pressure, Syrian President Bashar Assad has allowed some reforms to loosen the hold of the police state he inherited from his father. But change isn't happening fast enough for the Bush administration and Syrian reformers, who fear a government crackdown if the political climate shifts.

Copyright 2005 NPR

Deborah Amos covers the Middle East for NPR News. Her reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition.