Middle Eastern Studies

 Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire until WWI. During the war, the Arabs revolted against the Turks with the help of the British. The Arabs liberated Syria in King Faisal I became the leader.  Under the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the French invaded Syria and took control of Syria.  The League of nations recognized French rule over Syria.  Syria revolted, very bloody. Many Syrian leaders were hung.  Franco-Syrian Treaty was signed but it was useless - French troops stayed in Syria. (Same song, second verse)

 WWII - skirmishes between Arabs, Vichy French, and Free French. British got control of the situation and promised Syria freedom after WWII ended (yeah, right)  After the war, the French still refused to leave. Finally, the United Nations forced the French out. The last French troops left on April 17, April 17th is now National Day.  Syria was the last country to sign the armistice with Israel after Israel took over Palestine.

 1949 was a rough year for Syria.  Syrian gov't was overthrown by Hussni al-Zaim  Zaim was overthrown by Sami al Hinnawi  Hinnawi was overthrown by Col. Adib al- Sheeshakli  Hinnawi got control again. This lasted until...  Hinnawi resigned and left. The National Gov't was then restored.  Syria got too friendly with the USSR so the western countries (like the U.S.) got Turkey to threaten to invade Syria.  Egypt's President Nassar aligned with Syria but Syria had to agree to dissolve all political parties. This was the beginning of bigger troubles.

 1960s - Baath Party took over and trouble kept going.  Hafez al-Assad took over Syria and the gov't stabilized.  Syria got involved in the Yom Kippur War against Israel. They lost the Golan Heights for good.  A civil war broke out in Lebanon.  Syrian troops moved into Lebanon.  After 15 years of civil war in Lebanon, the war ended and Syria supposedly left Lebanon alone.

 Under Ottoman control until 1918  League of Nations grants France a mandate for Lebanon  Lebanese Republic was declared (yeah, right)  Vichy French control Lebanon  French transferred power to the Lebanese gov't  Next 30 years saw Lebanon getting tons of immigrants. Lebanon became a Middle Eastern Melting Pot!  Civil War broke out. Over the 15 years of this war, there was fighting with and between Hezbollah, Syrians, Lebanese, and Israelis. This was a MAJOR MESS!!!!  Finally, Israel leaves. Syria left in late 20th, early 21st century. Hezbollah still there!

 Once again, controlled by the Ottomans until WWI.  They, too, were affected by the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the Paris Peace Conference, and the League of Nations.  In 1918, the British got Jordan. They divided it into three districts and called it Transjordan.  Emir Abdullah was granted rule over all three districts.  British recognized the Emirate of Transjordan (fancy name for Jordan)  King Abdullah did a great job of unifying the three districts  May The three districts of Transjordan became the country of Jordan.  Jordan is actually one of the more peaceful countries among it's neighbors.

 Shaped by Islam - Mecca, Medina, Muhammed, etc.  Became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in  Remained neutral in WWII  The Saud family has ruled for a very, very long time.  Oil keeps them powerful.