The Middle East Series
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The Middle East Series 10: The French Mandate in Syria
7:35

The Middle East Series 10: The French Mandate in Syria

In this video, we explore how French colonial rule profoundly shaped modern Syria, beginning from the shattered dreams of an independent Arab state after World War I to brutal suppression during the Great Syrian Revolt. Discover how France’s strategy of dividing Syria along sectarian lines left a lasting legacy of mistrust, instability, and conflict — scars that still impact the region today. History reveals the uncomfortable truth: the wounds of colonialism run deep, and their consequences can last generations.
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The Middle East Series 9: The French Mandate in Lebanon
7:55

The Middle East Series 9: The French Mandate in Lebanon

Lebanon—a country of breathtaking landscapes, world-famous cuisine, and a political system that’s… complicated. But how did it get that way? In this episode, we dive into the history of Greater Lebanon, a colonial creation of France in 1920 that shaped the country’s future—for better and for worse. From the French mandate to the confessional system that locked Lebanon into sectarian politics, we explore how shifting demographics and colonial decision-making set the stage for later conflicts, including the devastating Lebanese Civil War. How did France’s divide-and-rule strategy impact Lebanon’s stability? Why did the last census happen in 1932? And what role did the changing population balance play in later tensions? We break it all down.
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The Middle East Series Part 8: The British Mandate in Palestine
8:37

The Middle East Series Part 8: The British Mandate in Palestine

The British Mandate in Palestine was one of the most complex and controversial chapters of the 20th century. Britain’s conflicting promises, growing waves of Jewish immigration, and rising Arab resistance led to a crisis that would shape the Middle East for generations. From the Balfour Declaration of 1917 to the Arab Revolt of 1936–1939, this video explores Britain’s struggle to control Palestine while balancing Jewish refugee aspirations and Arab demands for independence. We’ll examine the policies, conflicts, and shifting geopolitics that ultimately led Britain to hand over the problem to the United Nations.
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The Middle East Series Part 7: The British Mandate in Iraq
7:41

The Middle East Series Part 7: The British Mandate in Iraq

After the Great War, Britain found itself in control of Iraq—a land rich in history, culture, and, most importantly, oil. But what started as a grand imperial experiment quickly unraveled into one of the most expensive and violent colonial rebellions of the era. The 1920 Great Iraqi Revolt saw nationalists, tribal leaders, and religious factions unite against British rule, forcing the empire to rethink its approach. With direct control proving too costly, Britain installed Faisal I as Iraq’s king, hoping he would stabilize the country while London kept a firm grip on its oil and military affairs. But was Iraq ever truly independent? And what were the long-term consequences of Britain’s intervention? Join as we dive deep into the British Mandate of Iraq, the rebellion that shook its foundations, and the legacy it left behind.
The Middle East Series Part 6: The Invention of Transjordan
8:37

The Middle East Series Part 6: The Invention of Transjordan

In the aftermath of World War I, Britain found itself in control of vast Middle Eastern territories, thanks to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. But direct rule was expensive and politically messy. Their solution? Create new borders, hand out kingdoms, and hope for the best. Enter Transjordan—a land of desert, scattered Bedouin tribes, and one Hashemite prince who had been promised much more. This episode explores how Britain carved out Transjordan as a buffer state, why Abdullah I took the deal, and how this seemingly artificial creation became the foundation of modern Jordan. From British colonial backpedaling to the strategic role of the Arab Legion, we uncover the real reasons behind Transjordan’s existence and why, unlike many of its neighbors, it remained remarkably stable. Was this a pragmatic solution or just another imperial blunder? And how did this British-made country survive while others collapsed into chaos? Watch to find out.
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The Middle East Series Part 5: Mandates and Mayhem
9:57

The Middle East Series Part 5: Mandates and Mayhem

The Middle East as we know it was shaped by one of the most pivotal moments in modern history: the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. But what came next? Britain and France stepped in, carving up the region under the guise of "mandates" with promises of self-determination that quickly turned into colonial control. Borders were redrawn with little regard for local cultures, identities, or histories, laying the groundwork for tensions that persist to this day. In this episode, we dive into the aftermath of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the League of Nations mandates, and the contrasting colonial strategies of Britain and France. From the creation of artificial borders to the rise of nationalist movements and the seeds of conflict in places like Palestine, Syria, and Iraq — this is the story of how the modern Middle East was born out of betrayal, resistance, and unfulfilled promises.
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The Middle East Series Part 4: The Balfour Declaration Explained
10:00

The Middle East Series Part 4: The Balfour Declaration Explained

Dive into the story of the Balfour Declaration, a short letter from 1917 that became one of the most impactful and controversial documents in modern history. Issued during the chaos of World War I, the declaration expressed Britain’s support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This video explores the complex web of wartime strategies, conflicting promises to Jews, Arabs, and European powers, and the long-term consequences of imperial ambitions in the Middle East. Join us as we examine the legacy of the Balfour Declaration—a tale of hope, betrayal, and enduring controversy that continues to influence the region and the world to this day.
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The Middle East Series part 3: The Sykes-Picot Agreement
4:48

The Middle East Series part 3: The Sykes-Picot Agreement

Travel back to 1916, a time when World War I was reshaping the globe, and the Ottoman Empire teetered on the edge of collapse. In this video, we unravel the secretive and infamous Sykes-Picot Agreement—a deal between Britain and France that redrew the Middle East. While promising Arab independence, Britain and France were secretly carving up the region for their own imperial gains. Discover how these arbitrary borders ignored the region's deep ethnic, tribal, and religious diversity, sowing seeds of conflict and betrayal that echo to this day. From the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to ongoing global power struggles, we examine how this colonial pact reshaped not just maps but the course of history.
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The Middle East Series Part 2: Promises and Plots
3:57

The Middle East Series Part 2: Promises and Plots

In this video, we dive into the fascinating—and messy—story of the McMahon Correspondence, a series of letters exchanged during World War I that shaped the future of the Middle East. Learn how Britain promised Arab independence in exchange for a revolt against the Ottoman Empire, while secretly making deals with France (Sykes-Picot Agreement) and supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine (Balfour Declaration). Why did the British need an Arab revolt? How did centuries of Arab-Ottoman tension set the stage? And how did vague promises and colonial ambitions sow the seeds of modern-day conflict? This is the tale of diplomacy gone wrong. If you love history, intrigue, and a bit of geopolitical drama, this is for you. Hit play to uncover the promises that shook the Middle East!
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The Middle East series part 1: Oil, Empires, and Secrets
2:59

The Middle East series part 1: Oil, Empires, and Secrets

The Middle East: crossroads of continents, treasure trove of resources, and the ultimate geopolitical hotspot of the early 20th century. In this video, we uncover why the great powers of the time—Britain, Russia, France, Germany, and others—were so obsessed with this region. Join us as we explore the intrigue, strategy, and high-stakes drama that made this region a strategic goldmine for empires. Whether you're a history buff or just curious about the roots of modern geopolitics, this story will leave you with a new appreciation for the Middle East’s pivotal role in shaping the 20th century.

The Middle East Series Part 6: The Invention of Transjordan

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Entertainment Education History Transjordan BritishEmpire MiddleEast Jordan

In the aftermath of World War I, Britain found itself in control of vast Middle Eastern territories, thanks to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. But direct rule was expensive and politically messy. Their solution? Create new borders, hand out kingdoms, and hope for the best. Enter Transjordan—a land of desert, scattered Bedouin tribes, and one Hashemite prince who had been promised much more.
This episode explores how Britain carved out Transjordan as a buffer state, why Abdullah I took the deal, and how this seemingly artificial creation became the foundation of modern Jordan. From British colonial backpedaling to the strategic role of the Arab Legion, we uncover the real reasons behind Transjordan’s existence and why, unlike many of its neighbors, it remained remarkably stable.
Was this a pragmatic solution or just another imperial blunder? And how did this British-made country survive while others collapsed into chaos? Watch to find out.

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