The British and the French Mandates | James Barr

Historian James Barr traces how the Middle East was shaped by the secret Sykes–Picot Agreement, Anglo-French rivalry, and the creation of Israel. He explains how Britain and France undermined each other during the mandate era between 1918 and 1948, and how the region later became a stage for Anglo-American competition over oil and power—with legacies that still echo today. Historian and author James Barr has written three books on modern Middle Eastern history, including A Line in the Sand: Britain, France and the Struggle that Shaped the Middle East. The interview, conducted by journalist and author Niklas Ekdal, was recorded in June 2025 during a three-day seminar on Middle Eastern history, titled Empires of Faith. Want to see more? Visit https://www.axesstelevision.com/