COMMENTARY FROM jeffmoskin

[thelivyjr]

In March 1915, Britain signed a secret agreement with Russia, whose designs on the empire’s territory had led the Turks to join forces with Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1914.

By its terms, Russia would annex the Ottoman capital of Constantinople and retain control of the Dardanelles (the crucially important strait connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean) and the Gallipoli peninsula, the target of a major Allied military invasion begun in April 1915.

In return, Russia would agree to British claims on other areas of the former Ottoman Empire and central Persia, including the oil-rich region of Mesopotamia.

More than a year after the agreement with Russia, British and French representatives, Sir Mark Sykes and Francois Georges Picot, authored another secret agreement regarding the future spoils of the Great War.

Picot represented a small group determined to secure control of Syria for France; for his part, Sykes raised British demands to balance out influence in the region.

The agreement largely neglected to allow for the future growth of Arab nationalism, which at that same moment the British government and military were working to use to their advantage against the Turks.

I would say that the Brits used the Arabs as cannon fodder, and then screwed them over big time, afterwards, and I suspect that the Arabs still remember that ...

[jeffmoskin]

No argument there. See "Lawrence of Arabia"

[thelivyjr]

Exactly, jeffmoskin!

How very short and empty our memories are over here ...

[thelivyjr]

An absolutely gorgeous day up here, jeffmoskin!

Too nice to be inside so I was doing some area beautification raking leaves which is great exercise as well as being aesthetically pleasing ...

[thelivyjr]

How to become a millionaire in Truth Social stock: invest 2 million

[jeffmoskin]

Did you see the eclipse?

[thelivyjr]

I heard about it!

I was taking a nap when it happened.

People said it got dark like a storm was coming and then got light again!

It was a great nap!

[jeffmoskin]

should have napped later. It was beautiful.

[thelivyjr]

Not here - high clouds made it hazy and indistinct!

I was better off taking the nap!

[jeffmoskin]

Meanwhile life goes on here in the golden state. Sunny and 70s.

Sigh