The term “revolution” before the events of Tunisia and Egypt and the subsequent revolutionary waves in the Arab world was a mere word dreamt about by some and mocked by others. It was just a word typed on paper, and no one knew what it meant to live a moment of a social and political […]

Nothing is left for the dictator but his secret box. Overwhelmed by the scare in the presidential palace, and approached by the two or maybe three of his consultants giving him the feeling of safety and usually presenting the universal picture, he must open the box and arm himself to defeat those trapping him once […]

The government’s reaction vis-à-vis the labor and factional protests and strikes confirm two issues: the government’s inability to deal with the protests, starting with that of the transport workers to the latest protest of metro workers, all the way through to minibus drivers, and ending with the other small protests in the capital and the […]

The rule goes that whatever political regime comes to power and by any which means, it should firstly control the media. This happened in all countries experiencing coups d’etats and revolutions, except in Egypt.  Suppose that someone travelled back in time to January 24, 2011 and returned in November 2012?  Would he feel, when watching […]

  The rubble of a collapsed building, rickety furniture, and women in pajamas screaming from the trauma. Men covered with dirt and white dust, trying to salvage whatever they could of their furniture. Children hiding in their mothers’ arms, unaware of the impact of the situation.   The rubble of a collapsed building, rickety furniture, […]

“Welcome O Cotton of the Nile … you are sweet and beautiful,” goes the famous  farmer’s melody that was sung during the cotton harvest season many years ago.  Land workers waited for this particular season to prepare their sons’ marriages, and villages used to buzz with wedding parties.  But now, says farmer Abdulrafie Abdulghani from […]

Financial problems were not the greatest concern for a doctor who recently graduated and  began his career with a so-called ‘assignment’ and a salary of no more than US $41 per month.  His real challenge was not having patients for two years and nearly forgetting all that he had studied. Financial problems were not the […]

Some Dakahlia villages marry their daughters through common-law contracts, with the bridegroom signing a blank check to guarantee his marriage to his would-be bride once she reaches maturity. Human rights activists are calling for tougher punishments to confront this phenomenon. Some Dakahlia villages marry their daughters through common-law contracts, with the bridegroom signing a blank […]

“Secession is the solution” is the banner raised by people of Sarw city in Damietta Governorate, who have decided to secede from the governorate in protest of inhumane living conditions and gross inaction by local government. “Secession is the solution” is the banner raised by people of Sarw city in Damietta Governorate, who have decided […]

Popular committees emerged in Egypt in the spirit of community participation that characterized the revolution. A year and a half later, this form of activism is already on the verge of extinction. Popular committees emerged in Egypt in the spirit of community participation that characterized the revolution. A year and a half later, this form […]