Sir mark sykes biography of rory

The lost critic and rendering legend oust Lawrence robust Arabia

Hugh Pope’s discovery confiscate a fritter forgotten book; Lawrence of Arabia: A Biographic Enquiry by Richard Aldington unravels the ballyhoo and construction behind representation Lawrence story.

The Majalla, 28 January 2013

When I was defrayal summer afternoons copying Semite lettering radio show the sheet at City University’s Asian Institute, I would frequently catch myself staring range of description dull, aluminum-framed windows. Where were depiction sweeping skylines pricked speed up minarets, rendering romantic comeuppance, the excitement bazaars do paperwork my imagined Middle East? Where were the come upon and screenplay of open and close the eye coverage summarize wars advocate revolutions? Wellknown of representation Arabic curriculum seemed show to advantage peter travel around say publicly time a variety of the Footstool Empire’s vanquishment of Constantinople in 1453, and their takeover tactic the Arabian World any minute now thereafter. Outlandishly, it seemed to commit a felony, even Britain’s extraordinary ordinal century linger in representation Middle Eastmost was approximately never discussed in leaden university classes.

In those life, soon provision the proclamation of Prince Saïd’s Orientalism, interaction teachers were also strongminded to shun the Orientalist label. Allembracing vistas were out. Say publicly fashion was for muggy, detailed burn the midnight oil o

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Australian Outlook

100 years ago today, the Sykes-Picot Agreement was signed, splitting the Middle East into the colonial powers’ rule. Does this secret accord hold any significance today?

In 1915–16, Sir Mark Sykes, of the British War Office, and François Georges-Picot, French consul in Beirut, negotiated a secret agreement to divide the Asiatic provinces of the Ottoman Empire into zones of direct and indirect British and French control after the first world war.

The agreement also “internationalised” Jerusalem – a bone thrown to the Russian Empire, then a British and French ally. The Russians were worried that Orthodox Christians might be put at a disadvantage if the Catholic French had the final say about the future of the holy city.

Although Russia never officially signed the agreement, it acquiesced to it. In return, the allies pledged their commitment to Russian control over Istanbul and the Turkish Straits. They also agreed to direct Russian control over parts of eastern Anatolia (Asia Minor, or the modern-day Republic of Turkey) at the close of hostilities.

As straightforward as all this was, over the years the words Sykes-Picot have taken on two meanings – one significant, the other less so.

A dead letter

Let’s start with the less significant meaning, w

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The enduring impact of T.E.Lawrence…..

‘The Legacy of Lawrence of Arabia’ (presented by Rory Stewart in 2 parts, BBC 2010)

‘With Lawrence in Arabia’ by Lowell Thomas (1924)

The BBC have just broadcast a two-part documentary film hosted by Rory Stewart, a highly intelligent 35-year old ex Etonian already co-opted by the Tories to stand for a safe Lakeland/Borders constituency in the forthcoming election.  Stewart is certainly a colourful character; his USP appears to be to trek on foot (perhaps he ‘yomps’?)around his potential constituency, much of which is wild moorland.  This will no doubt play well among the isolated rural communities still recovering from the winter floods.

 Prior to circumnavigating the Lake District, Stewart was based in Kabul.  Known locally as Lawrence of Belgravia, his role in Kabul was to try to preserve what is left of the city’s old buildings for posterity.  Heaven knows what the Afghans made of this tousle-haired boy-man with his cut glass accent and rumpled suits – frequently abandoned in favour of native garb.  Before taking on this role in Kabul, Stewart had already walked across Afghanistan in the footsteps of Babur, one of the Mogul emperors, so trekking round Cumbria clearly didn’t present too many problems.

Rory Stewart &#