#PresidentialPropaganda: Assad’s Squeaky Clean Instagram Account

Cheery images show Assad and his wife in a charitable light.

Worth 1,000 Words - Since late July, cheery images of President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma, interacting with the Syrian people have surged on the Syrian president’s Instagram account. Missing among the smiling faces were images from the devastating chemical weapon attack that killed more than 1,400 civilians last month. Keep reading for a closer look at what some are calling outright propaganda. —Patrice Peck(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

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Worth 1,000 Words - Since late July, cheery images of President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma, interacting with the Syrian people have surged on the Syrian president’s Instagram account. Missing among the smiling faces were images from the devastating chemical weapon attack that killed more than 1,400 civilians last month. Keep reading for a closer look at what some are calling outright propaganda. —Patrice Peck(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

Assad’s Side of Syria - So far, the Syrian president’s account has uploaded 143 photographs to its 37,856 followers. Each image places Assad and the first lady in familiar, humanizing settings, showing them in a light contrary to the one being cast by the U.S. government and media.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

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Assad’s Side of Syria - So far, the Syrian president’s account has uploaded 143 photographs to its 37,856 followers. Each image places Assad and the first lady in familiar, humanizing settings, showing them in a light contrary to the one being cast by the U.S. government and media.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

Syria - The death toll mounted inexorably, past 120,000, as Syria's nearly 3-year-old civil warfare raged on with no signs of resolution. The government of Bashar Assad did agree to eliminate its chemical weapons, but prospects for peace talks were complicated by infighting among anti-government rebels. Nearly 9 million Syrians have been uprooted from their homes, with many of them seeking refuge abroad.(Photo: AP Photo/Local Committee of Arbeen)

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True or False? - Many have branded Assad’s Instagram account propaganda and claimed that the images posted are not an accurate illustration of what is happening in Syria. More than 110,000 Syrians have died since March 2011 when the conflict began, reported a Syrian watchdog. A shocking chemical weapon attack on Aug. 21 thrust the nation onto the international stage.(Photo: AP Photo/Local Committee of Arbeen)

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Would This Image Get Any Likes? - When the attack first occurred, no confirmations had been made as to whether internationally banned chemicals were used or who launched and authorized the strike. A convoy of U.N. chemical inspectors confirmed that chemical weapons were used, but refused to disclose who had launched the weapon. The U.S., Germany, France and other world powers have charged the Syrian government for the attack.(Photo: JM LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By JM LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images

The Star of @SyrianPresidency - In this image, Assad’s British-Syrian wife, Asma, comforts an injured woman. A majority of the images featured on the account spotlights the first lady as she serves her husband’s constituents in a warm and charitable manner.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

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The Star of @SyrianPresidency - In this image, Assad’s British-Syrian wife, Asma, comforts an injured woman. A majority of the images featured on the account spotlights the first lady as she serves her husband’s constituents in a warm and charitable manner.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

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“A Rose in the Desert” - In February 2011, Vogue published a profile of Asma written by journalist Joan Juliet Buck, who touted Assad’s wife as a stylish rose in the desert and the couple as “wildly democratic.” After the piece drew an overwhelming backlash, it was removed from the Vogue website.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

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“A Rose in the Desert” - In February 2011, Vogue published a profile of Asma written by journalist Joan Juliet Buck, who touted Assad’s wife as a stylish rose in the desert and the couple as “wildly democratic.” After the piece drew an overwhelming backlash, it was removed from the Vogue website.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

Living Above Her Countrymen’s Means - A Huffington Post article noted that Asma is wearing a blue Jawbone UP in some of the Instagram photos. The bracelet-like monitor that tracks her movement, calories burned and her meals costs $129.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

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Living Above Her Countrymen’s Means - A Huffington Post article noted that Asma is wearing a blue Jawbone UP in some of the Instagram photos. The bracelet-like monitor that tracks her movement, calories burned and her meals costs $129.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

Peace in the Middle East - "Cut off all assistance to Israel unless it ceases to build in and occupy Palestinian territory," suggested San Francisco State University political scientist Robert Smith.  (Photo: AP Photo/SANA)

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Unfair Fashionista - Given the destitute living conditions of many Syrians today, Asma’s lavish lifestyle has come under heavy scrutiny.(Photo: AP Photo/SANA)

World Leaders Blast Assad - As the G-20 summit ended on Sept. 6 in Russia, 10 world powers released a joint statement condemning the Aug. 21 gas attack. Russian President Vladimir has remained the staunchest opponent of any strike against Syria. Some believe the leader will have to reassess his position once the U.N. releases its chemical weapon inspection report.(Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Abdullah)

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World Leaders Blast Assad - As the G-20 summit ended on Sept. 6 in Russia, 10 world powers released a joint statement condemning the Aug. 21 gas attack. Russian President Vladimir has remained the staunchest opponent of any strike against Syria. Some believe the leader will have to reassess his position once the U.N. releases its chemical weapon inspection report.(Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Abdullah)

No Proof - Assad has rejected all claims made by President Obama and others accusing him of the gas attack in August. He also warned of retaliation if the West decided to strike, adding that there would be a risk of a regional war in Syria.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

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No Proof - Assad has rejected all claims made by President Obama and others accusing him of the gas attack in August. He also warned of retaliation if the West decided to strike, adding that there would be a risk of a regional war in Syria.(Photo: Syrianpresidency via Instagram)

What’s Next? - Leading up to a public address on the matter set for Sept. 10, President Obama will continue to lobby among his foreign allies and Washington, D.C.-based leaders for a strike on Syria. Keep reading here for updates as the Syrian conflict evolves.(Photo: AP Photo/Media Office Of Douma City)

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What’s Next? - Leading up to a public address on the matter set for Sept. 10, President Obama will continue to lobby among his foreign allies and Washington, D.C.-based leaders for a strike on Syria. Keep reading here for updates as the Syrian conflict evolves.(Photo: AP Photo/Media Office Of Douma City)