August - 2026

Analysis: Egypt, SpongeBob and the New Operating System of Dissent

How did a SpongeBob Facebook joke draw nearly 1.8 million Egyptians? A look at humor, decentralization, and how a new generation is reshaping collective expression in the digital age.

Culture & Society

Aug 26

Egyptian writer Bassem El-Ganouby and Bishop Aghathon of Maghagha and El-Adwa, against the backdrop of state authority—a dispute over criticism, reputation, and the boundaries of free expression that ultimately drew in the police.

Who Has the Right to Criticize the Church in Egypt?

Egyptian writer Bassem El-Ganouby is home, but the controversy surrounding his arrest has raised a larger question: who has the right to criticize the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, and when does criticism become a matter for the police?

Human Rights

Aug 24