The British were content to recognize Hussein of Mecca as King of Hejaz, but Hussein resisted Allied plans for Palestine and the Levant.
The Emir of neighboring Najd was more flexible with the British, but had his own quarrels with Hussein, which eventually led to the Emir seizing control of Hussein’s kingdom and combining his realms into Saudi Arabia.
- Listen now:
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
Damascus Dusk
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
As someone who is Middle Eastern, lives in the Middle East and is a lifelong student of the Middle East, I want to commend this podcast for providing such acute analysis of the fateful history of this region circa the events of 1919 and the years following. Not only is the presentation in 1919-The Near East series a nuanced telling of the historical forces (and people) shaping this intriguing part of the world, but the analysis of the entire concept and experience of the nation-state is much needed. I so appreciated hearing a voice that addresses the challenges of Middle Eastern states (and there certainly are massive, devastating issues to be addressed) by reminding listeners of the long and difficult road taken by Christian Europe on its way to developing healthy and viable states. If only most Middle East “analysts” had such grasp of the confluence of issues at play in this region.