The novel Animal Farm by George Orwell highlights the emergence and development of Joseph Stalin as a communist dictator through the character of Napoleon. These characteristics of Napoleon can be seen not only in Stalin, but also in current dictators, such as Bashar al-Assad. Napoleon and al-Assad use many of the same tactics, such as eliminating competition, using fear to keep citizens loyal, and finding ways to circumvent the law, in order to maintain their position of power. Although Napoleon and al-Assad are very powerful leaders, others have threatened their positions, so to stay in power both dictators had to eliminate such competitors. In Animal Farm, Napoleon sent slimy dogs to chase his opponent Snowball, with whom he had argued several times about how to run Animal Farm. After Snowball suggested building a windmill, he gained the support of most of the animals and there was "no doubt as to the direction in which the vote would go" (Orwell 52). Of course, Napoleon would have no chance of winning against Snowball, so he sent four slimy dogs that he had raised and trained to obey him after Snowball. The dogs chased Snowball away from Animal Farm and he was never seen again. Al-Assad used similar tactics to root out those who posed a threat to him. Al-Assad reportedly killed and tortured many political opponents, most notably the attack on Ali Ferzat. Ferzat, a political cartoonist, is a well-known critic of the Syrian government and some of his cartoons mock Assad. Ferzat's attack occurred when he was seized on the street by masked men and dragged into a van. His attackers "targeted his hands, breaking them both, and told him it was just a warning", before dumping him on the side of the road with a bag over his head (Ali). Al-Assad is said to have also killed and tortured other political opponents. Not only did Napoleon and Assad use force against their opposition, but both dictators also use such tactics against their own citizens to keep them loyal. On Animal Farm, Napoleon was never seen without his four ferocious dogs, and he used them to intimidate the other animals on the farm. When four young pigs began to speak against Napoleon, the dogs "let out deep, menacing growls, and the pigs were silent and sat down again" (Orwell 54). Napoleon continued to use dogs to keep other animals in line.