عمو حسام
@barracks.substack.com
In a dictatorship, independent journalism, by default, becomes a form of activism, and the spread of information is essentially an act of agitation.
My book: https://www.versobooks.com/products/3225-counterrevolution-in-egypt
My book: https://www.versobooks.com/products/3225-counterrevolution-in-egypt
Pinned
عمو حسام
@barracks.substack.com
· May 2
State & Barracks | Hossam el-Hamalawy | Substack
The nexus of military, money, and the state in Egypt. Click to read State & Barracks, by Hossam el-Hamalawy, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
barracks.substack.com
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter on Egyptian politics and military history
Sisi’s propagandists want him in power beyond 2030. But regime rifts and economic collapse complicate his plans.
In this week’s report: the succession struggle, press repression, the military’s asset grabs, and Organi’s business empire.
In this week’s report: the succession struggle, press repression, the military’s asset grabs, and Organi’s business empire.
Power Without an Exit
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
November 9, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Sisi’s propagandists want him in power beyond 2030. But regime rifts and economic collapse complicate his plans.
In this week’s report: the succession struggle, press repression, the military’s asset grabs, and Organi’s business empire.
In this week’s report: the succession struggle, press repression, the military’s asset grabs, and Organi’s business empire.
Reposted by عمو حسام
Chilling to read.
This week, I examine Sisi’s risky military gamble in Saudi Arabia, the intelligence services’ takeover of diplomacy, and Ethiopia’s acquisition of Russian fighter jets. Plus: an obituary for the State Security torturer who oversaw my first arrest.
A Gamble on Every Front
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
November 5, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Chilling to read.
New Egyptian military history piece on my Substack
From Colonial Uniforms to Cold War Armies
Osprey’s Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars 1948–1973
barracks.substack.com
November 5, 2026 at 7:05 AM
New Egyptian military history piece on my Substack
Reposted by عمو حسام
"The man who ordered my first arrest and oversaw my interrogation under torture in October 2000 died last week."
I've heard so many versions of this story from Kashmiris, though the torturers are often still alive, and - of course - unprosecuted.
I've heard so many versions of this story from Kashmiris, though the torturers are often still alive, and - of course - unprosecuted.
The Torturer and Mubarak's Henchmen
November 2, 2026 at 9:58 AM
"The man who ordered my first arrest and oversaw my interrogation under torture in October 2000 died last week."
I've heard so many versions of this story from Kashmiris, though the torturers are often still alive, and - of course - unprosecuted.
I've heard so many versions of this story from Kashmiris, though the torturers are often still alive, and - of course - unprosecuted.
The Torturer and Mubarak's Henchmen
November 2, 2026 at 9:13 AM
The Torturer and Mubarak's Henchmen
This week, I examine Sisi’s risky military gamble in Saudi Arabia, the intelligence services’ takeover of diplomacy, and Ethiopia’s acquisition of Russian fighter jets. Plus: an obituary for the State Security torturer who oversaw my first arrest.
A Gamble on Every Front
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
November 2, 2026 at 7:55 AM
This week, I examine Sisi’s risky military gamble in Saudi Arabia, the intelligence services’ takeover of diplomacy, and Ethiopia’s acquisition of Russian fighter jets. Plus: an obituary for the State Security torturer who oversaw my first arrest.
Today on my Substack: I interview retired US Maj. Gen. “Pink” Williams, who helped introduce F-16s to Egypt and served as military attaché in Cairo during the 2011 revolution.
We discuss US military aid, Israel’s military edge, and Washington’s dealings with the generals.
We discuss US military aid, Israel’s military edge, and Washington’s dealings with the generals.
US-Egyptian Military Ties: A Conversation With ‘Pink’ Williams
The F-16 Program, Military Aid, and the 2011 Revolution.
barracks.substack.com
October 29, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Today on my Substack: I interview retired US Maj. Gen. “Pink” Williams, who helped introduce F-16s to Egypt and served as military attaché in Cairo during the 2011 revolution.
We discuss US military aid, Israel’s military edge, and Washington’s dealings with the generals.
We discuss US military aid, Israel’s military edge, and Washington’s dealings with the generals.
New issue of the Egypt Security Sector Report is out!
Cracks in Sisi’s Inner Circle?
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
October 26, 2026 at 7:03 AM
New issue of the Egypt Security Sector Report is out!
Coming up Monday on my Substack
October 24, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Coming up Monday on my Substack
A stunning cover from an Egyptian Armed Forces magazine, September 1978.
The 1973 War revived the army’s heroic image and inspired striking military propaganda, often crafted by true believers.
Compare that artistic legacy with the sterile propaganda of Sisi’s regime.
The 1973 War revived the army’s heroic image and inspired striking military propaganda, often crafted by true believers.
Compare that artistic legacy with the sterile propaganda of Sisi’s regime.
The Afterglow of October
The Lost Aesthetics of the Army
barracks.substack.com
October 22, 2026 at 7:27 AM
A stunning cover from an Egyptian Armed Forces magazine, September 1978.
The 1973 War revived the army’s heroic image and inspired striking military propaganda, often crafted by true believers.
Compare that artistic legacy with the sterile propaganda of Sisi’s regime.
The 1973 War revived the army’s heroic image and inspired striking military propaganda, often crafted by true believers.
Compare that artistic legacy with the sterile propaganda of Sisi’s regime.
Coming up Thursday on my Substack
October 20, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Coming up Thursday on my Substack
New issue of Egypt Security Sector Report is out!
Who Is Sisi Talking To?
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
October 19, 2026 at 7:03 AM
New issue of Egypt Security Sector Report is out!
On Monday, I'll publish a long read on my Substack tackling the potential rifts within the Sisi regime and the question of his succession.
October 17, 2026 at 10:11 AM
On Monday, I'll publish a long read on my Substack tackling the potential rifts within the Sisi regime and the question of his succession.
Samy Ibrahim’s memoir offers a rare view of the engineers behind Egypt’s 1973 Suez crossing. My review explores its mix of military labor, evangelical faith, nationalist mythmaking, and apologetics for Sisi’s regime.
War Memoir
Reading the October War Through the Eyes of an Evangelical Sapper
barracks.substack.com
October 15, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Samy Ibrahim’s memoir offers a rare view of the engineers behind Egypt’s 1973 Suez crossing. My review explores its mix of military labor, evangelical faith, nationalist mythmaking, and apologetics for Sisi’s regime.
More arms, more business, more repression. My latest Egypt Security Sector Report covers a proposed US Javelin sale, the military’s expanding business empire, prison protests, mounting police killings, and journalists’ torture allegations.
More Arms, More Business, More Repression
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
October 12, 2026 at 6:05 AM
More arms, more business, more repression. My latest Egypt Security Sector Report covers a proposed US Javelin sale, the military’s expanding business empire, prison protests, mounting police killings, and journalists’ torture allegations.
Reposted by عمو حسام
US man shoots off-duty ICE agent who allegedly attacked him and daughter
US man shoots off-duty ICE agent who allegedly attacked him and daughter
ICE official, who was sleeping on man’s lawn and appeared ‘intoxicated’, faces felony charges, California police say
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2026 at 7:24 PM
US man shoots off-duty ICE agent who allegedly attacked him and daughter
Coming up Thursday on my Substack
October 10, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Coming up Thursday on my Substack
How did Egypt’s 1973 war become a sacred national creed and a justification for military rule? My review of Mustafa Menshawy’s brilliant study.
How 1973 Turned Into a National Creed
Mustafa Menshawy’s Brilliant Excavation of the October Myth
barracks.substack.com
October 8, 2026 at 6:42 AM
How did Egypt’s 1973 war become a sacred national creed and a justification for military rule? My review of Mustafa Menshawy’s brilliant study.
This issue covers Sisi’s propaganda offensive, arrested fact-checkers, intelligence and judicial family ties, military business expansion, US arms contracts, and Emirati investment, alongside the Regeni verdict, delayed detention reforms, prisoner protests, and deaths in custody.
All in the Family, All Under Watch
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
October 5, 2026 at 6:53 AM
This issue covers Sisi’s propaganda offensive, arrested fact-checkers, intelligence and judicial family ties, military business expansion, US arms contracts, and Emirati investment, alongside the Regeni verdict, delayed detention reforms, prisoner protests, and deaths in custody.
After the 1967 defeat, Egypt’s press presented new weapons as symbols of military recovery. My latest explores Akher Saa’s fascination with Miniman and Blowpipe, and the gap between weapons hype and reality.
A Small, Small World of Missiles
Miniman, Blowpipe and Egypt’s Military Imagination After 1967
barracks.substack.com
October 1, 2026 at 6:44 AM
After the 1967 defeat, Egypt’s press presented new weapons as symbols of military recovery. My latest explores Akher Saa’s fascination with Miniman and Blowpipe, and the gap between weapons hype and reality.
New issue of Egypt Security Sector Report is out.
The Surveillance State Gets a Face-Lift
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
September 28, 2026 at 6:39 AM
New issue of Egypt Security Sector Report is out.
During the June 1967 War, Israel seized hundreds of Soviet-made tank trophies from the Egyptian and Syrian inventories, primarily T-54s and T-55s. They were quickly absorbed into Israel’s armored forces and put to use against their former operators.
Improvised Armor
Israel's Use of Captured Soviet Tanks
barracks.substack.com
September 24, 2026 at 1:03 PM
During the June 1967 War, Israel seized hundreds of Soviet-made tank trophies from the Egyptian and Syrian inventories, primarily T-54s and T-55s. They were quickly absorbed into Israel’s armored forces and put to use against their former operators.
This week’s issue covers Egyptian–Saudi relations, Red Sea shipping, and the military’s growing role in civilian recruitment and healthcare. It also examines business ties to Sisi’s family, police killings, and restrictions on civil and religious rights.
Military Gatekeepers, Presidential Relativesgive
Egypt Security Sector Report
barracks.substack.com
September 21, 2026 at 1:04 PM
This week’s issue covers Egyptian–Saudi relations, Red Sea shipping, and the military’s growing role in civilian recruitment and healthcare. It also examines business ties to Sisi’s family, police killings, and restrictions on civil and religious rights.
Rare audio from 1970: War Minister Mohamed Fawzi briefs Nasser and Gaddafi on Egypt’s losses in Yemen, the June 1967 War, and the War of Attrition.
Official Casualty Figures for Yemen, 1967, War of Attrition
Egypt's Fallen
barracks.substack.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Rare audio from 1970: War Minister Mohamed Fawzi briefs Nasser and Gaddafi on Egypt’s losses in Yemen, the June 1967 War, and the War of Attrition.
Reposted by عمو حسام
It's true though
Colleges could subsidize books for students rather than paying for premium versions of ChatGPT
September 15, 2026 at 3:39 PM
It's true though