In many senses, politics is the continuation of history, as the goals pursued by today’s politicians and the resources they possess to achieve them are largely defined by the events of the past. This statement is as true as ever when applied to the famously complex and even convoluted politics of the Middle East. Thus, in order to understand the political situation in the region, one needs proper knowledge of its history and the driving forces that led to the emergence of its contemporary countries. Western imperialism influenced Middle Eastern Politics since the 19 th century, and nationalism, first driven by the opposition to colonialism and then by the conflicts between the new nation-states, was also a crucial factor. The great powers of Europe began interfering in Middle Eastern affairs at least since the early 19 th century. The Industrial Revolution made it hard to compete with Europe in terms of manufactured goods, achievements in exploration and transportation ensured its near-monopoly in global commerce, and technological advancements provided military advantages. Relying on these strengths, the great powers of Europe began furthering their interests in the region dominated by the declining Ottoman Empire. Napoleon’s brief invasion of Egypt was the first notable instance of Western imperialist interests in the Middle East, but more were soon to follow. During the first half of the 19 th century, Great Britain, France, and Russia energetically carved their spheres of influence in the Ottoman Empire and even fought over its fate, as in the Crimean War of 1853-1856. Both the Ottoman Empire and Persia attempted to emulate Western ways to secure corresponding competitive advantages, but the Tanzimat reforms or Qajar dynasty’s half-hearted attempt failed to produce meaningful results. As a result, the 19 th century was characterized by the gradually increasing involvement of imperialist powers into Middle Eastern affairs. This imperialist involvement only grew in importance and magnitude during the first half of the 20 th century. World War I proved fatal for the Ottomans and led to the dissolution of the empire. In accordance with the 1916 Sykes-Picot agreement, much of the Ottoman legacy fell into the hands of the victorious Entente members. France got Syria and Lebanon, while Britain received Jordan and Iraq, with the latter’s profitable oil fields. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 left the status of Palestine intentionally unclear but encouraged Jewish immigration to the region. Imperialist powers controlled these territories through the system of mandates issued by the League of Nations, but while France ruled its possessions directly, Britain preferred indirect rule. Turkey enacted an ambitious campaign of modernization and secularization, while Iran struggled to get better control of its resources. After World War II, the British project of Palestine as separated into Arab and Jewish zones failed utterly, and, in the course of a brief war, Israel secured its independence. Whatever were the situations of the Middle Eastern countries by the mid-20 th century, they were a direct result of imperialist policies. The centuries-long involveme