The Great War and the Middle East

This book explores the impact of the First World War on the Middle East, highlighting its role in ending Ottoman rule, reshaping national boundaries, and influencing regional conflicts that persist today.

The Great War and the Middle East delves into the profound impact of the First World War on the Middle East, marking the end of five centuries of Ottoman rule and paving the way for the complex geopolitical landscape we see today. The war not only dismantled the Ottoman Empire but also introduced new ideologies, such as Arab nationalism and revolutionary socialism, while intensifying existing movements, including radical forms of Islamism. The narrative highlights key figures, such as Lawrence of Arabia and Atatürk, who emerged as symbolic leaders during this transformative period, while also addressing the significant territorial reconfigurations that led to the establishment of new nation-states like Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.

Rob Johnson, a military historian and former soldier, challenges prevailing misconceptions about the role of the Middle East in the First World War. He argues that this theater of conflict was not merely a peripheral aspect of the war in Europe but rather a central battleground for imperial dominance and prestige. By examining the strategic and operational details of the war, Johnson sheds light on the complexities of local leadership and resistance. He contends that local forces were not simply manipulated by the Great Powers; instead, they actively engaged with and often disrupted imperial plans to serve their own interests.

Ultimately, Johnson's exploration provides a nuanced understanding of the First World War's legacy in the Middle East. He emphasizes that the self-interested interventions of Britain and France during this period have significantly contributed to ongoing conflicts in the region. The book invites readers to reconsider widely held beliefs about the war and its consequences, offering a fresh perspective on the historical forces that have shaped the Middle East's troubled narrative.