Sykes-Picot Agreement
A secret 1916 agreement between Britain and France dividing Ottoman territories in the Middle East into spheres of influence after World War I.
Updated April 23, 2026
Background and Context
During World War I, the Allied powers sought to dismantle the Ottoman Empire's control over the Middle East. Britain and France, two major colonial powers, entered into secret negotiations to divide the Ottoman territories into spheres of influence after the anticipated victory. This led to the creation of the Sykes-Picot Agreement in 1916, named after the British diplomat Sir Mark Sykes and the French diplomat François Georges-Picot who negotiated the deal.
How It Worked in Practice
The agreement essentially drew arbitrary lines on a map, dividing the Middle East into zones where Britain and France would exert political and economic control. France was to control modern-day Syria and Lebanon, while Britain was to control areas that include modern-day Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine. The agreement disregarded the wishes and identities of the local Arab populations, who had been promised independence in return for revolting against the Ottomans.
Why It Matters
The Sykes-Picot Agreement is significant because it laid the groundwork for many of the modern political boundaries and conflicts in the Middle East. It is often cited as a key factor in the region's enduring instability, as it ignored ethnic, religious, and cultural realities. The secret nature of the agreement, once revealed, also damaged trust between Western powers and Arab leaders.
Legacy and Consequences
The arbitrary borders created by Sykes-Picot contributed to tensions between different ethnic and religious groups, fueling disputes that persist today. Additionally, the agreement conflicted with other promises made, such as the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence, which further complicated post-war arrangements. The League of Nations later formalized some aspects of the division through mandates, but the initial secret pact had already set a precedent.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that the Sykes-Picot Agreement was the sole cause of Middle Eastern conflicts; while it played a significant role, the region's history is complex and influenced by many factors. Another misunderstanding is that the agreement was fully implemented as planned; in reality, post-war negotiations and local resistance altered some outcomes.
Real-World Example
The border between Syria and Iraq, drawn without regard to ethnic or tribal divisions, is a direct legacy of the Sykes-Picot Agreement and has contributed to ongoing conflicts in both countries.
Example
The arbitrary borders established by the Sykes-Picot Agreement contributed to the territorial disputes that fueled the Syrian civil war decades later.