Egypt's President Abdel Fateh el-Sisi can be a polarizing figure.
While Sisi has drawn immense criticism from human rights groups and activists, he has also drawn the praise of many common people, like Muna al-Beheiri – the infamous "shut up your mouse Obama" woman – so eloquently reminded us on multiple occasions.
But, love him or hate him, we all have to admit, Sisi has gone just a bit overboard on a couple occasions. Most recently, he outdid himself once again in New York...
1. Sisi had his own delegation give him the red carpet treatment when he arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly
Alright. We see you, we see you ...
2. But then there was also that time his motorcade actually drove on red carpet
Yep, Sisi's motorcade drove a 4 kilometer stretch of red carpet back in February ... and it was just to visit a new housing project. One Egyptian lawyer estimated the carpet cost nearly $200,000.
But, to be fair, a spokesman for the administration said they didn't actually buy the carpet. Still, optics ... optics.
3. And there was that massive military parade for the opening of the New Suez Canal
While such a massive project may merit fanfare, one year later with significant doubt that the project has actually benefited Egypt financially in a significant way, it seems it might have been a bit much. But hey, hindsight is always 20/20.