EconTalk cover image

EconTalk

The Struggle That Shaped the Middle East (with James Barr)

Feb 24, 2025
Historian James Barr, author of "A Line in the Sand," delves into the dramatic reshaping of the Middle East post-WWI. He discusses the pivotal Sykes-Picot Agreement and its impact on modern borders, highlighting how colonial powers like France and Britain fueled ongoing regional tensions. Barr explores the Arab Revolt's significance, the complexities of Jewish immigration in the 1930s, and the lasting effects of arbitrary borders. His insights reveal how historical conflicts continue to influence today’s political dynamics in the Middle East.
01:18:24

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The dissolution of the Ottoman Empire post-WWI and the Sykes-Picot Agreement set arbitrary borders that disregarded local identities, causing ongoing conflicts.
  • The conflicting interests of Britain and France in the Middle East after WWI highlighted a tension between imperial ambitions and local aspirations for self-determination.

Deep dives

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.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode