Understanding the Modern Middle East

Thank you to everyone who attended the talk by Dr. Steve Trout this past week; we learned a great deal about the imagery and uses of parades to both create and shape civic rituals and commemoration.  For those interested in learning a little more about my fellow Demon Deacon Laurence Stallings, check out this article by his daughter featured in Wake Forest Magazine in 2012.

Our next talk will be on October 22 at 7:00 pm, and features a focus on the lesser-known aspects of the war in the Middle East.  Although often downplayed in the rush to explain the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand  and the origins of the war as a consequence of European entangling alliances, the collapse of the Ottoman Empire is essential to the story of the First World War.  In particular, diplomatic controversies between France and Germany over African colonies and two Balkan Wars in 1912-1913 were direct consequences of the collapse of the empire and are often seen as precursors to the World War.  Dr. Tenbus will explore these tensions by examining the Arab Revolt against the Turks, the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the Balfour Declaration, and other decisions made by Europe during and in the aftermath of the First World War, decisions that in turn shaped much of subsequent twentieth-century strife in the Middle East.  We hope to see you in Twomey Auditorium (Wood Hall 100) for the event!