The LA Times’ Megan Stack has written an excellent, anecdote-rich piece
on the effect of technology- and social-norm-based censorship in the
Middle East, with emphasis on Syria, Bahrain, and Egypt.  At ONI,
we’ve done an in-depth report on Bahrain. 
Ms. Stack’s piece is heavy on the youth and politics angle on the
story, both of which I think are important.  (Thanks to Jeff
Engerman for the link.)