This is piece is published in Al-Monitor. I look forward to your feedback and comments

For a nation accused of being blindly in love with its army, Egypt’s former Chief of Staff Sami Anan is a living example that not every general can appeal to the Egyptian public.

Since the Facebook page, “The campaign to demand Gen. Sami Anan run for presidency,” posted a number of pictures of Anan in a civilian suit, an unprecedented  campaign of mockery has flooded social media with Egyptians exchanging various Photoshopped images of him in humorous contexts. Many Egyptians, regardless of their political affiliations have enjoyed a laugh at the expense of the man that was once described a powerful member of the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces (SCAF). The mockery of Anan is in stark contrast to the ongoing “Sisi fever.” The fascination with Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reached an unprecedented level. In addition to Sisi-shirts and posters, Egyptians can now find Sisi-themed chocolate, jewelry, sandwiches, and even cooking oil.

So what is going on? Why have Egyptians responded so differently to these army generals? The answer lies in the character of the two generals and the context in which they handle the public.

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