A line in the sand

 

I am re-reading this book by James Barr about British and French adventures in the Middle East. As WWI victors, they had to decide what to do with the collapsed Turkish empire, and the Sykes-Picot map was the only scheme available. Britain was interested in Mosul's recently discovered oil fields and a good port in the Mediterranean. The French got Lebanon and Syria. 

Both soon discovered that late imperialism was expensive and tried to transfer the pacification of the natives to local leadership. Which was not ready.  The British, influenced by Lawrence, tried to impose Faisal and Abdullah as kings, but they could not endure. The Hashemites in Trans-Jordan still rule, but only with British help. 

What will happen with these chaotic "countries" now? They are of little interest to current powers—except maybe Israel. With the Golan, we have enough—for now. 

The next generation may look to Sinai. If Egypt collapses, as it surely will, Sudan is the model. Egypt's population is about 15-20% Sudanese. This is my personal opinion, tendentious because of my love of Sinai.