He had neither the charismatic smile of Gamal Abdel Nasser nor the attitude of Anwar el Sadat, and yet, he is the longest-serving ruler in Egypt’s history with many different and symbolic nicknames. Since the announcement of his death on Tuesday, Mubarak’s name swept the headlines of local and international outlets with various nicknames: the former president (el Rais), the Modern Pharaoh, the Dictator, the National Hero, the Pilot, and many others. Though Mubarak’s stone face and lack of expressiveness could be said to also reflect his long tenure in power, which followed a very cautious, incremental and slow process in reforms. His life first began as a pilot. After joining the Air Force Academy in 1949, he gained his commission as a pilot officer in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in aviation sciences. In 1972, Mubarak became Commander of the Air Force and Egyptian Deputy Minister of Defense. His first breakthrough was during the October War in 1973, when the Egyptian Air Force launched a surprise attack on Israeli soldiers on the east bank of the Suez Canal – transforming the pilot into a ‘national hero’. The very next…
