Fault Lines: Boundaries and British Influence in the Middle East

“We had an incredibly interesting day with Ibn Saud. He is one of the most striking figures I've ever met. Standing over two meters tall, he has a majestic appearance, carries himself with great dignity and calm, and has proven his courage as a leader of irregular troops, embodying both military prowess and statesmanship.”

These were the words of renowned British agent, traveler, and explorer Gertrude Bell, who had the chance to meet and converse with the future King of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, on November 27, 1916, in Basra, Iraq. Their meeting in the desert would later become one of the pivotal moments in modern Middle Eastern history.

When Sharif Hussein and his allies launched an uprising against the Ottoman Empire in the Hijaz in June 1916, the British sought to maintain control over other parts of the Arabian Peninsula. To this end, Sir Percy Cox, Britain’s high commissioner in Baghdad, invited Abdulaziz to a meeting on the shores of the Persian Gulf at Uqair, about 70 kilometers south of Zahran—a location easily accessible to British diplomats and agents. During his meeting with Sir Percy Cox on November 11-12, 1916, Abdulaziz received an invitation to attend a regional assembly in Kuwait on November 23. Held under British auspices and hosted by the Emir of Kuwait, Jaber bin Mubarak al-Sabah, this gathering brought together the key tribal leaders of the Gulf. Sir Percy Cox's objective was to rally Arab leaders to support Sharif Hussein's rebellion. Although Ibn Saud reluctantly pledged his support for the uprising, his true aim was to secure a border agreement for the Kuwait-Arabia boundary in his favor.

Following his time in Kuwait, Ibn Saud moved on to Basra for a meeting on November 27, attended by Gertrude Bell, expecting discussions around border issues. However, the British aimed to assert their dominance by showcasing their military might. Indeed, Percy Cox had planned an itinerary for Abdulaziz that included tours of military fronts and maneuver fields. Displaying sharp political acumen, Abdulaziz responded to British officials’ hints of handing over a large swath of land to Kuwait by expressing his own interest in that territory, prompting the British to respond, “We believe there’s oil there.” The British plan was clear: they intended to bypass the ancient Basra port, using Kuwait as a strategic wedge at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Kuwait's location and vast oil reserves would go on to be sources of crisis in the region for decades.

Borders are tension points, and the British Empire, in every land it controlled or influenced, ensured that these boundaries would be drawn in ways that would keep tensions simmering. Where there are boundary disputes across the Islamic world, from the Middle East to Asia, a British footprint is often found.

During the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye and the drawing of new borders, British pressure prevented adherence to our true borders, known as the "National Pact" (Misak-ı Milli). The failure to reach an agreement with the newly formed Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq that would have included Kirkuk and Mosul within our borders was largely due to London's influence.

The boundaries of Türkiye's eastern and southeastern regions were drawn in ways that laid tracks for future conflicts. The idea that a region as rich in water and underground resources as the Middle East would be neglected by imperial powers is naive. During these challenging times, Türkiye must remain vigilant, anticipating that projects targeting its stability will only intensify, and take every possible measure to prevent a repeat of the painful experiences in history.