Lawrence of Arabia and The War on Terror

Before we get started I just want to thank the guys over at The Statist Quo Podcast and their episode on the War on Terror.  That episode was the inspiration for this so you should go check them out.  If they were the ones who brought you here well then cool and thank you.  I guess this networking shit does work.

Now I know what you are thinking, "What does Lawrence of Arabia have to do with the War on Terror?"  Well, it's actually rather simple.  His actions as a British Intelligence officer working a liaison to the Arab Revolt during WWI helped to facilitate the Sykes-Picot Agreement.  The secret deal made between the British and French partially at the behest of Zionist influencers to carve up and take control of the Ottoman Empire after the war.  These actions would help to create the lasting state of turmoil that has engulfed the Middle East.  Lawrence of Arabia is an especially intriguing figure in this situation given that his unique perspective.  Not only was he able to foresee the events that would unfold, he also actively made attempts to prevent what would be their inciting event.  Unfortunately, Lawrence of Arabia's warnings were not heeded and the world got the Middle East we have today.  I guess all you could say is that empires gotta empire.

Now seeing how I probably lost most of you already let's find out just who this Lawrence of Arabia really is.  We'll just go with the abridge version so we can eventually get to our point. Thomas Edward Lawrence (colloquially known as T.E. Lawrence) was the British Intelligence officer eventually assigned to be the liaison between the British army and Faisal I bin Hussein bin Ali al-Hashemi, the man Lawrence himself determined to be best fit to lead.  In essence, Lawrence could be seen a precursor to modern day Green Berets.  Fighting along side an indigenous military force while being able to provide resources said indigenous forces would be unable to attain themselves.  Lawrence has previously learned Arabic and throughout his time in the revolt began to dress as the Arabs gaining their respect and admiration as Westerner who was willing to learn and embrace their culture.

As for the Sykes-Picot agreement, Lawrence did many things to undermine the empire he served.  One of the most significant things he did is one that many don't know about.  He committed treason by informal Faisal of the intent of the British to fuck the Arabs out of independence.  Upon learning of this betrayal, Lawrence believed the best course of action would be to take the city of Damascus hoping the Imperial powers would have no choice but to grant the Arabs independence.  Unfortunately, they were beaten to the capital of Arab world by Australian elements of the British military.  Faisal was able to establish an Arab government however, it was under British supervision.  Lawrence would continue to push for Arab independence even going as far as going to the Paris peace talks as a member of Faisal's delegation.  However, we all know by now that none of it mattered as the British and French would take direct control of the region, planting the seeds for the Middle East that we have today.

Now when it comes to the Zionist's and their intentions within the region, Lawrence was aware that their goals would be met with negative repercussions.  He believed that if Zionists were to be given a state in the Middle East, it would be land meant only for Jews with nowhere for Arabs.  If you look at modern Israel, that is exactly what is going on.  In  a meeting with Zionists leaders where they told Lawrence of their plans to just but the land and remove those who were already living on it, the only recommendation he could give them was to coexist with the Arabs or there would be violence.  Which yet again has been going on since 1948 when Israel was finally granted statehood. To quote the man himself "If a Jewish state is to be created in Palestine, it will have to be done by force of arms and maintained by the force of arms amid an overly hostile population."

T.E. Lawrence saw all that Middle East has endured in the last hundred years coming.  However, we continue to brush history under the rug.  Everyone wondered why France has been subjected to so much violence.  Maybe it was because they took over Syria.  We wonder why Israel is almost always under attack.  It might have something to do with Arabs suffering under oppression, fighting to reclaim their independence just to have their land taken by yet another empire who goes and gives it to someone else.  Lawrence of Arabia knew this could be prevented but unfortunately, the desire of conquest by empires created a situation that has caused little more than chaos and death.