هاشم الأتاسي
In reaction to the establishment of Israel in 1948 and its victory over Arab forces, Badawi blamed the leadership of the Arab countries for leading their people to defeat. A warrant for Badawi's arrest was issued when Husni al-Zaim, a military officer, toppled the government in March 1949. Badawi subsequently fled to Lebanon, before returning later that year after al-Zaim was assassinated. In December he became the chief publicist of the government under President Hashim al-Atassi. During his time in the post, he penned articles commending the new leadership.