Yes, the secret Sikes-Picot Treaty of 1916, dividing up the remains of the Ottoman Empire between Britain and France, taking no notice of the actual facts on the ground while drawing lines on a map, is the political cornerstone of Every Bad Thing in the Middle East today.
Yes, the secret Sikes-Picot Treaty of 1916, dividing up the remains of the Ottoman Empire between Britain and France, taking no notice of the actual facts on the ground while drawing lines on a map, is the political cornerstone of Every Bad Thing in the Middle East today.
Add the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and you've pretty much nailed it. The text: "His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."
Even as a high school student I was struck by the use of the passive voice: "it being clearly understood" and "nothing shall be done." (Clearly I was an editor in the making!)
I was a teenage Arabist, and I haven't forgotten all of it. Like when Kim Philby's defection to the USSR became public, I was all "You mean he was St. John Philby's son??"
Very cool. I didn't know that till I got through reading "A Spy Among Friends" last month. For those who don't know about Philby, that book is a good place to start. I got it because I wanted to know the original source material for the TV series that was on MGM channel this past spring.
Yes, the secret Sikes-Picot Treaty of 1916, dividing up the remains of the Ottoman Empire between Britain and France, taking no notice of the actual facts on the ground while drawing lines on a map, is the political cornerstone of Every Bad Thing in the Middle East today.
Add the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and you've pretty much nailed it. The text: "His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."
Even as a high school student I was struck by the use of the passive voice: "it being clearly understood" and "nothing shall be done." (Clearly I was an editor in the making!)
Thanks. Yes, forgot that one and it is super-important.
I was a teenage Arabist, and I haven't forgotten all of it. Like when Kim Philby's defection to the USSR became public, I was all "You mean he was St. John Philby's son??"
Very cool. I didn't know that till I got through reading "A Spy Among Friends" last month. For those who don't know about Philby, that book is a good place to start. I got it because I wanted to know the original source material for the TV series that was on MGM channel this past spring.
I very much enjoyed that book.
Exactly so.