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WWI in the Middle East: Empires Collapse, Nations Rise
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World War I wasn’t just a European conflict—it was a turning point that completely reshaped the Middle East, leading to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the rise of new Arab nationalisms, and the imposition of European colonial rule.
In this episode we sit down with Professor James Gelvin, a leading historian of the modern Middle East, to explore the war’s impact on the region. Together, we discuss:
🔹 Why the Ottoman Empire joined the war and its consequences
🔹 The Arab Revolt—was it truly significant, or has history exaggerated its role?
🔹 How the British and French secretly divided the Middle East (Sykes-Picot Agreement & beyond)
🔹 The Balfour Declaration and how WWI set the stage for the Palestine conflict
🔹 The mandate system—how European powers turned former Ottoman lands into colonies
🔹 Why Iraq became the first mandate to gain independence—despite being the least prepared
🔹 The long-term legacy of WWI on borders, conflicts, and identities in the modern Middle East
This war didn’t just end an empire—it created the world we know today. But did it have to happen the way it did? And what lessons can we learn from it? Join us as we break it all down.
Learn more about Professor James Gelvin: UCLA Faculty Page
Check out his book, The Modern Middle East: A History: Goodreads Link
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