Border Separation in the Middle East: Legacy of the Sykes-Picot Agreement
Date
2-20-2025
Faculty Mentor
Donna Park, Chemistry & Geosciences
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
8:00-8:10 am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, a secret pact between Britain and France with Russian approval, remains one of the most consequential and controversial diplomatic arrangements of the 20th century. Designed to divide the territories of the Ottoman Empire into British and French spheres of influence after World War I, the agreement disregarded the sociopolitical, ethnic, and religious complexities of the Middle East. By imposing artificial borders that ignored historical, tribal, and sectarian affiliations, the agreement laid the foundation for enduring instability in the region. This presentation explores how the Sykes-Picot Agreement contributed to long-term geopolitical turmoil, fostering ethnic and sectarian divisions, weakening regional sovereignty, and igniting nationalist movements. The arbitrary partitioning of territories led to the fragmentation of communities that had coexisted for centuries, fueling conflicts that persist today. The exclusion of Arab voices in the decision-making process further deepened resentment, leading to widespread opposition to European colonial rule and shaping the political landscape of the modern Middle East. The presentation will analyze key consequences of the agreement, including the rise of nationalist and Islamist movements, the challenges of state-building in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, and the role of Western intervention in exacerbating regional conflicts. Case studies will include the Syrian civil war, sectarian violence in Iraq, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, all of which have roots in the territorial divisions imposed by Sykes-Picot. Additionally, the discussion will highlight how the agreement set a precedent for foreign intervention and power struggles among global and regional actors, including the United States, Russia, Iran, and Turkey. By examining the historical context, political ramifications, and present-day consequences of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, this presentation will demonstrate how a century-old colonial arrangement continues to shape the geopolitics of the Middle East. Understanding this legacy is essential for policymakers, historians, and scholars seeking to navigate the complexities of modern Middle Eastern conflicts and diplomatic relations.
Keywords
student research, geography
Rights
This content is the property of Jacksonville State University and is intended for non-commercial use. Video and images may be copied for personal use, research, teaching or any "fair use" as defined by copyright law. Users are asked to acknowledge Jacksonville State University. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@jsu.edu.
Disciplines
Earth Sciences
Recommended Citation
Ghazal, Qays, "Border Separation in the Middle East: Legacy of the Sykes-Picot Agreement" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 14.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/14
