Author Archives: Sam Heller

The above is a selection from Azmi Bishara’s appearance on the May 20 episode of Al Jazeera’s “Fil-’Umq” (In Depth), titled either “Challenges Facing the Syrian Revolution” or “The Syrian Revolution at a Crossroads.” Bishara is one of the Arab world’s … Continue reading →

Greetings (al-salam alaikum) to you from a brave people, a quarter of whom have become homeless; and 200,000 of whose sons have been put in prisons; and who have paid a price for their freedom close to 100,000 martyrs; and … Continue reading →

In this translated clip – taken from the March 8 episode of “Bernameg al-Bernameg” – we see Egyptian political scientist cum politician Amr Hamzawy pretty effectively sum up the liberal critique of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood-led process of institution-building. Hamzawy’s point is … Continue reading →

Below is a translation of the charter of the Syrian Islamic Front, a coalition of Islamist brigades working to topple the Assad regime. (Original document here, posted January 21.) Most immediately evident is that the Front is essentially fighting a … Continue reading →

They keep showing this ad while I’m watching episodes of 04 online. I guess it grew on me? (Was this an English-language ad?  It must’ve been.)

From the January 4 episode of “Bernameg al-Bernameg” (“The Show Show”), Bassem Youssef responds to the lawsuits filed against him: He’s obviously petrified. Also, just to say, I’ve seen people translate the name of the show as “The Program Program,” … Continue reading →

This really has no broader significance. I was just entertained. President Morsi look-alike on Nahda stage From the “Sada al-Balad” writeup: Video: “Sada al-Balad” has exclusive meeting with President Morsi look-alike on Nahda stage On the main stage, there could be … Continue reading →

I know that some people are sick of the more serious serious segments of Bassem Youssef’s “Bernameg al-Bernameg” (literally, “The Show Show”), but I thought this one, from his December 21 episode, was useful. If you’ve watched the second season … Continue reading →