Is There a Middle East?: The Evolution of a Geopolitical Concept

Year 2013, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 81 - 99, 01.02.2013

Tahir Nakip

Abstract

Middle East, as a junction point of various national interests, has always been a hot spot for decades. Following the loosening of Ottoman Empire’s grip in the region, the strong players of the Middle East Game; Britain, France, Russia and in latter position Germany focused their attention on the region to shape their plans. Sick man of Europe; Ottoman Empire was weak and ponderous whereas the Central Powers were strong and reckless. The partition plans were continuously changing throughout the process, the secret offers between sides were made, promises postponed, societies were manipulated etc. The new map of the Modern Middle East was not only shaped by wars and blood but also with keen diplomatic efforts of all sides.
The formation of the Modern Middle East mainly covers the period of “Collapse of Ottoman Empire” and formation of the successor States. “The Makers of the Modern Middle East” focuses “the Collapse of Ottoman Empire,” “Arab Nationalism,” “Zionism,” “new Turkish Republic,” and “formation of Arab States,” “Israel State” respectively. The book The Makers of the Modern Middle East analyses the events each under a separate title in a chronological order. Moreover, what the book specifically does particularly well is emphasizing the inevitable influence of the three leaders on the historical events referenced; the Hashemite Emir Faisal, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Chaim Weizmann who played significant roles in the formation of the Modern Middle East.

Keywords

Michael E. Bonine, Abbas Amanat and Michael, Ezekiel Gasper (Ed.)

The Makers of the Modern Middle East (London: Haus Books, 2011)

Abstract

Middle East, as a junction point of various national interests, has always been a hot spot for decades. Following the loosening of Ottoman Empire’s grip in the region, the strong players of the Middle East Game; Britain, France, Russia and in latter position Germany focused their attention on the region to shape their plans. Sick man of Europe; Ottoman Empire was weak and ponderous whereas the Central Powers were strong and reckless. The partition plans were continuously changing throughout the process, the secret offers between sides were made, promises postponed, societies were manipulated etc. The new map of the Modern Middle East was not only shaped by wars and blood but also with keen diplomatic efforts of all sides.
The formation of the Modern Middle East mainly covers the period of “Collapse of Ottoman Empire” and formation of the successor States. “The Makers of the Modern Middle East” focuses “the Collapse of Ottoman Empire,” “Arab Nationalism,” “Zionism,” “new Turkish Republic,” and “formation of Arab States,” “Israel State” respectively. The book The Makers of the Modern Middle East analyses the events each under a separate title in a chronological order. Moreover, what the book specifically does particularly well is emphasizing the inevitable influence of the three leaders on the historical events referenced; the Hashemite Emir Faisal, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Chaim Weizmann who played significant roles in the formation of the Modern Middle East.

Keywords

Makers, Modern Middle East, London: Haus Books