The 1916 Sykes-Picot agreement, signed by Britain and France, remains a source of conflict in the Middle East. This agreement divided Arab territories from the Ottoman Empire into different areas of control or administration, granting direct or indirect control over specific regions to each country. It also provided the option to establish arrangements with either the Confederation of Arab States or with the Arab State. Consequently, France gained control over coastal regions in Syria and parts of Lebanon, while British retained control over southern and central Mesopotamia (specifically Basra and Baghdad provinces). Palestine was placed under international administration, and Russia expressed interest in the region due to its Christian power.
The remaining parts of this territory consist of a large region including Mosul in northern Iraq and modern-day Syria. It would have an administrati
...ve system where local Arab chiefs are supervised by the French in the north and the British in the south. This agreement also allows France and Britain to maintain their access and trade in the influenced regions. While Germany's attempts to control Europe were halted, the Middle East was affected during this process. The Ottoman Empire, the predominant Islamic power in the area, aligned with Germany and declared a conflict with Great Britain, Russia, and France.
Due to the Ottoman Empire posing a significant threat to British territories, London took proactive measures by launching preemptive attacks and strikes to remove Turkey from the war. This ultimately led to the downfall of the powerful Ottoman Empire, allowing Britain to assert dominance in the region. Additionally, Britain played a role in instigating conflicts in the Middle East by supporting and encouraging the Great Arab revolt, whic
aimed to oppose the Turks and led to the uprising of Arabs in 1916.
Following World War I, the Arab regions were not granted full independence by the victorious allies. Instead, France and Britain assumed control over them through the mandate system outlined in "the Treaty of Versailles". In particular, Palestine fell under British rule. As part of this arrangement, there was a commitment to establish a Jewish homeland in the region, proposed by Arthur James Balfour, a former British secretary.
The Arab's plea for an Arab state in the area aimed to hold Britain accountable for their commitment. This resulted in escalating tension and ultimately ignited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Over the next 25 years, both Jews and Arabs revolted and participated in uprisings against British governance. Presently, Israel stands as the sole democratic nation in the Middle East, underscoring its dedication to democracy.
Despite its lack of recognition from neighboring states, Israel is an independent country with a president at the helm. Its political system comprises three branches - the executive, legislature, and judiciary - collectively responsible for legislation and law enforcement.
The president of Israel is selected by the Knesset, the country's legislative body, for a maximum term of seven years. The Knesset comprises 120 members and candidates are chosen from a national-level list through voting in Israel.
Lastly, Israel's political system comprises the Judiciary system, which enforces laws enacted by the legislature. The legislature is accountable for establishing laws concerning both domestic and international relations. In contrast, Iran operates under a non-democratic regime that has long been in conflict with its primary political regime. The actual government of Iran does not neatly align with any particular government
system.
Iran is a highly unique and complex Islamic republic. It can accurately be defined as an "Islamic republic," indicating its primarily Islamic government. However, the theocratic elements that originally shaped Iran's government have gradually diminished over time. This is comparable to Vatican City, which can also be characterized as a theocracy.
Political leaders come into power unintentionally. Khamenei, a supreme leader, holds a significant position in politics as he has authority in religious leadership. Iran's political system can be characterized as a republic because it belongs to the citizens rather than a particular leader. Owen argues that the colonial state played a crucial role as a conduit for external forces, particularly in politics where French and British policies were formulated in Paris and London.
The political situation in the region was significantly influenced by changes in the governance systems of France and Britain. Additionally, defeats suffered during wars also played a role in shaping the politics of the region. These events were beyond anyone's control. Owen's writing argued that Arab presidents learned from each other by observing their colleagues. The Arab League has developed a loose framework to pursue their ambitions.
Despite the looming presence of monarchial presidents in the near future, Owen expresses a strong belief that the uprisings have played a significant role in bringing an end to this era. The reign of monarchial presidents appeared to have a lasting influence on leadership in the Arab region. However, the events in Egypt and Tunisia provided clarity that this leadership was nearing its end. Owen briefly outlines the dynamics that defined governance in the Middle East.
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