FILE PHOTO: Assad's cousin mentioned in 'Panama Papers' Syria's regime has been able to circumvent international sanctions and fund its war effort through shadow companies, according to leaked "Panama Papers" seen by French daily Le Monde. President Bashar al-Assad's billionaire cousin Rami Makhlouf, who is facing sanctions, was also shown by the leaks as long having registered companies in tax havens. FILE PHOTO of Rami Makhlouf