What is the future for Sykes-Picot?
As border deal turns 100, will the map of the Middle East be redrawn?
The European powers that drew up the Middle East’s borders after World War One ignored religion, language and ethnicity. The Sykes-Picot agreement and the decisions that followed ushered in a century of political and military resistance from the people of the region. Colonial powers suppressed aspirations of statehood, particularly for Palestinians and Kurds, which remain key grievances today. As Sykes-Picot marks its 100th anniversary, one thing the Middle East’s warring parties agree on is that it doesn’t work. Will their conflicts redefine regional borders, and how will this change the dynamic of frequent foreign intervention?
On today’s show, we speak to:
Abdulla Hawez @Abdullahawez
Journalist
abdullahawez.tumblr.com
Ali Khedery @akhedery
Founder & CEO, Dragoman Ventures
dragomanventures.com
Nidal Bitari @NidalBitari
Senior programme manager, People Demand Change
Joyce Karam @Joyce_Karam
DC bureau chief, Al-Hayat
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.