16 Questions
What regions does Leonard Binder propose as part of the Middle East according to the text?
From Libya to Iran
Why does Leonard Binder argue that relations among Middle Eastern states cannot be explained in terms of the global order?
The need to focus on local history and internal politics
Which countries were under Ottoman rule in 1914, as mentioned in the text?
Yemen and Greater Syria
Where did the Arab World make its entry into International Relations following the First World War?
Versailles
What major obstacles did the Arab delegations face at the Versailles Peace Conference?
No consensus on post-war structure and European opposition
According to Leonard Binder, what attributes were the Arab delegations seeking at Versailles?
Recognition as independent states and territorial rights
What was a common dilemma faced by the Arab delegations at Versailles and other newcomers to the International order?
Surrendering control of foreign relations to colonial masters
What was the significance of the Constantinople Agreement concluded in March 1915?
It determined the shape of the modern Middle East
Which region was almost exclusively under Anglo-French control in the post-war negotiations?
Palestine and Transjordan
What differentiated Libya from other regions in the post-war negotiations according to the text?
It was an Italian colony
Which country resisted British attempts to establish a protectorate after being occupied in the aftermath of WWI?
Iran
What event led to the formation of the Republic of Turkey according to the text?
The Turkish War of Independence
Which leader succeeded in uniting the Arabian Peninsula by 1924?
'Ibn Saud'
What did the failure of Arab parties at Versailles reveal according to the text?
'Weakness' in bargaining against European imperial interests
What characterized the governance structure of the International system in relation to great powers?
'Decisive' role in codifying norms through international law
'States do not have sovereignty apart from recognition of it by others.' This statement emphasizes the importance of:
'International recognition'
Study Notes
The Middle East Region
- The Middle East region consists of former territories of the Ottoman Empire and neighboring countries with religious opposition movements that challenged Western-style nationalism.
- The region stretches from Libya to Iran, with fringe areas including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Maghrib, and a core area including the Arab states and Israel.
The Arab World and International Relations
- The Arab World entered International Relations at the Versailles Peace Conference following the First World War.
- Prior to the War, Arab lands in North Africa were colonized by France, Italy, and Britain, while most Asian Arab lands were under Ottoman rule.
- Arab lands under Ottoman rule in 1914 included Yemen, the Hijaz, Greater Syria, and Iraq.
The Arab Delegations at Versailles
- The Arab delegations faced two major obstacles at Versailles: lack of consensus among Arabs on the post-war structure and European opposition to Arab ambitions.
- Admission to International society was conditional on recognition of sovereignty by others.
- The governance of the International system was controlled by great powers, which played a decisive role in codifying norms of the system through international law.
The Post-War Middle East
- The map of the modern Middle East was drawn during the four years following the Ottoman retreat from Arab lands.
- The failure of Arab parties to attain their national aims at Versailles revealed their weakness in challenging European imperial interests.
- The Middle East that emerged from post-war negotiations was mostly an Anglo-French preserve, with Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia under French control, and Egypt, Aden, Palestine, Transjordan, and Iraq under British influence.
- Libya was an Italian colony, and Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia were exceptions to colonial rule.
Exceptions to Colonial Rule
- Turkish nationalists rallied around Mustafa Kemal, opposing the Paris Peace Conference terms, leading to the Treaty of Sevres and the Turkish War of Independence, which resulted in the Republic of Turkey.
- Iran was occupied by British and Soviet forces, but a pro-nationalist movement resisted British attempts to establish a protectorate, leading to the rise of the Pahlavi state.
- Abdulaziz Al Saud united the Arabian Peninsula, creating a sovereign state by 1924.
Explore the definition of the Middle East region according to scholar Leonard Binder in 1958. Delve into the territorial boundaries, religious opposition movements, and geopolitical dynamics as proposed by Binder.
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