Summary Over the past month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has begun to relax the stringent economic and social controls enforced by his late father. Under Bashar Assad's direction, the Ba'ath Party this week gave its approval in principle to three measures aimed at allocating capital more efficiently. The party endorsed the creation of a stock market, the legalization of private banking and an eventual free float for the Syrian pound. Tentative as they are, Assad's initial reforms show a determination to challenge powerful forces in Syrian politics. Analysis In the past three weeks, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has begun to relax the stringent economic and social controls enforced by his father, Hafez. His initial steps have been cautious, but they indicate he considers his power base far more solid than anyone would have predicted a few months ago.