The Rabaa TV channel is in its early days, but already stirring widespread debate — even sarcasm — among some Egyptians. An overtly anti-regime channel broadcasting from Istanbul in support of the Muslim Brotherhood seems an intriguing concept for young Egyptians, but to the surprise of many, it is not new. Egypt has witnessed similar projects in the past, and the outcome of this one will probably be the same: loud noise that will fade with time.

Following former President Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Jerusalem in 1977, political agitation spread among many Arab leaders who vehemently rejected any deal with the “Zionist state,” as they called it. Former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi took it a step further, opting to adopt Cold War tactics and create an anti-Sadat radio channel that broadcast from Libya. Gadhafi’s thinking was not irrational — in fact, his logic was sound. He judged that a combination of former President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s legacy, bad economic conditions, decadeslong antipathy to Israel and the rise of Islamism was a powerful enough mix to undermine Sadat’s regime and even stir a popular uprising to force a regime change in Egypt.

The channel broadcast various programs, including a satirical one that was particularly popular and presented by a popular figure from Nasser’s elite. He mocked Sadat’s speeches, his theatrical style and his wife Jihan’s involvement in politics. It was a mean, yet funny propaganda war. The channel also focused on Sadat’s record of questionable referendums. Sadat's controversial "Law of Shame" that targeted “crimes” such as broadcasting or publishing materials that could offend the “dignity of the state” was approved by 98.56% of the legislature, while the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was approved by 99.9%. Such ridiculous results provided rich material for anti-Sadat radio.

Sound familiar? It should. Although the current turmoil in Egypt is mainly concerned with domestic rather than foreign policy issues, the way that Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has managed Egypt since July 3 has many striking similarities with Sadat’s methods. Moreover, the attitude of his regional rivals, such as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his adoption of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and its new TV channel resembles, in many ways, how Arab rivals dealt with Sadat.