Historical Context of the Ottoman Empire and World War I

The Ottoman Empire, which ruled the central Middle East, faced decline by the beginning of World War I as they allied with Germany and subsequently lost the war. The British government recognized that attacking the Ottoman Empire might be a strategic advantage and formed a committee to explore options for governing the region post-war. Mark Sykes, an expert on the Ottomans, played a crucial role in drafting the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which divided the Middle East between Britain and France. This agreement sparked ongoing Western involvement in the region by solidifying interests while the Ottomans weakened their control over territories like Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.