New Ramadan Series 'The President's Drummer' to Chronicle Rise of a Propagandist in Post-Revolution Egypt

 Of course. Here is the text prepared for international publication, with a satirical headline, full translation, and an in-depth analysis for a global audience.


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New Ramadan Series 'The President's Drummer' to Chronicle Rise of a Propagandist in Post-Revolution Egypt


(Satirical Fiction) – A new piece of sharp political satire is circulating, taking aim at the intertwined relationship between media, the military, and the state in modern Egypt. The text, presented as an entertainment news report, announces a fictional television series that cynically charts the rise of a propagandist who becomes the spokesperson for the ruling system.


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Full Translation of the Satirical Text


"Following the massive public success of the film 'The President's Chef,' the United Media Company, led by Major General Mohsen Abdel Naby, has begun putting the final touches on its grand new national production set to air next Ramadan. It is the series 'The President's Drummer' (The President's Propagandist), which will feature a selection of major film and television stars.


The series tells the story of a poor young man's rise to the court of Her Majesty [the press]. He meets one of the officers of the Military Council during the January 25th revolution and becomes connected to him through his journalistic work of passing on misleading statements and biased rumors. He then allies with this officer during the rule of the Brotherhood, a period in which this officer becomes a minister and an engine of the counter-revolution that overthrows their rule and assumes power. The young man subsequently becomes his confidant, his spokesperson, and 'The President's Drummer.'"


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In-Depth Analysis for the International Reader


This text is a sophisticated and daring work of satire that critiques the perceived orchestration of public opinion and the consolidation of power in Egypt since the 2011 uprising. Its power lies in its use of a popular cultural format—a Ramadan TV series—to deliver a biting historical and political commentary.


1. The Central Metaphor: "The President's Drummer"


The title is the cornerstone of the satire.


· In Egyptian and broader Arab culture, a "drummer" (طبال) is not just a musician. It is a metaphor for a propagandist, a sycophant, or a cheerleader who mindlessly promotes and amplifies the message of those in power. By titling the series "The President's Drummer," the author immediately frames the story as one about the manufacture of consent and the role of media in legitimizing authority.


2. The Prequel and the Production Company: Establishing Context


· "The President's Chef": The text references a real, highly popular Egyptian film from 2022, The President's Chef. While a commercial success, the film was criticized by some as promoting a sycophantic and idealized view of loyalty to the presidency. By naming their fictional series as a successor to this film, the satire suggests a continuation of a genre that glorifies the ruling system.

· "The United Media Company" led by "Major General Mohsen Abdel Naby": This references a real, powerful media conglomerate in Egypt that is owned by the country's General Intelligence Service (GIS). Using the name of a real general and a state-affiliated media giant adds a layer of verisimilitude and sharpens the critique, directly implicating the security apparatus in the production of the national narrative.


3. The Plot: A Cynical History of the Counter-Revolution


The summarized plot is a satirical retelling of Egypt's turbulent last decade:


· The "Poor Young Man": Represents a class of opportunistic individuals who rose to prominence not through merit but through allegiance.

· "Misleading statements and biased rumors": This is a direct critique of the media landscape, accusing certain outlets of actively engaging in disinformation campaigns, particularly during the politically charged period after the 2011 revolution.

· "The Officer... becomes a minister and an engine of the counter-revolution": This is a thinly veiled reference to the current political reality, where former military figures have taken key government positions following the military's ouster of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

· The Arc from "Journalist" to "Spokesperson": The entire narrative arc satirizes the perceived corruption of the media profession, showing a direct pipeline from producing propaganda to becoming an official state spokesperson.


4. The Tone and the Audience


The tone is one of profound cynicism. The author is not celebrating this story but presenting it as a dark, open secret. By framing this cynical career path as the subject of a glamorous, state-produced Ramadan series, the satire achieves two things:


· It accuses the state of being self-congratulatory about its mechanisms of control.

· It holds up a mirror to the public, suggesting that they are being fed a sanitized, dramatic version of a much harsher reality.


Conclusion:


This piece is a brave and nuanced critique of the power dynamics that shape public discourse in Egypt. It argues that the lines between media, intelligence, and the military have been blurred to create a narrative that justifies the current political order. For an international reader, it offers a rare and insightful glimpse into how some Egyptians use satire to process and protest their recent history, using the language of popular culture to discuss themes of revolution, counter-revolution, and propaganda.

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