We know the answer
Instead of wondering if the Sykes-Picot agreement impacts people today, we should first highlight what these borders represented, 100 years ago. Did it mean families, tribes or landowners were forced to move or stay where they didn’t want to? Did it mean cultures and languages were forced on the locals? Did it disenfranchise local communities and cause divisions, rather than cohesiveness in the region? If yes, then you have your answer.
From Ms Chantelle Marsh
UAE
A lasting impact
Ms Chantelle Marsh, your questions seem rhetorical and hint at the notion that you do believe the agreement impacts people today. How many people in Lebanon speak French? A lot! You could debate to what extent language and culture is impacted, but it usually is, in most colonies. However, I think what is more poignant in this case, is how this agreement is a deep-rooted reason why, in the region today, we are seeing conflicts with Daesh, the struggle to maintain legitimate governance and an aggressive form of nationalism that has resulted in greater intolerance towards different religions.
How is the region impacted by it today? It’s a massive question to answer, but one thing is for sure — there is most certainly an impact.
From Mr George Havens
UAE
Beginning of downfall
Yes, of course the agreement still affects us today. It was the beginning of the downfall of the region.
From Ms Amy Farouk
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
They’ve always been different
Well, the Sykes-Picot plan was always for the good. We see that in the 18th century, people from Baghdad in Iraq, Ammani people in Jordan and Maqdisi people in Palestine always regarded themselves as different Arab people. They all had their own way of Islamic adherence under Sharia. It is the French who played the devil’s advocate game, by splitting up Damascus into Christian and Muslim areas.
From Mr Shamir Mrimmoy
UAE
We see the results every day
This agreement laid the platform for Israel to exist. You just have to look at the Jewish influence in the British and French governments in the years before, during and after this agreement was reached. The Israeli idea was in play from the late 1800s. We see the impact every day from the trouble in the West Bank to the civil war in Syria to insurgencies in Iraq. Jordan has pulled through relatively unscathed through good leadership.
From Mr Jonathan Trompetto Bawden
UAE
People don’t understand
The fact that it was an agreement between France and Britain to serve their interests is telling enough. You only need to read Gertrude Bell’s biography to understand how arbitrary it was. It seems that not enough people here know anything about Sykes-Picot, though, to get in any kind of real debate. It’s a shame, as it’s comparatively recent history and has had such an impact on the region as a whole.
From Ms Claire Hopkin
UAE
Editor’s note: Is there a debate topic that you feel strongly about? Something that you would like to see addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders
