The fall of the Ottoman Empire allowed the Western imperial powers to start reshaping the Middle East. Through a series of ill-conceived and half-realized schemes they created today's borders and many of today's problems. In this episode, the first of a series charting the historical roots of contemporary Middle Eastern conflicts, we discuss how political jockeying around the post-Ottoman political settlement continues the affect regional and international conflicts. This involves a whistlestop tour of the Ottoman Empire's approach to ethno-religious diversity, the Sykes - Picot agreement, the McMahon–Hussein Correspondence and the Balfour declaration. Apologies as always for my pronunciation!