Editorial

I was recently in Paris, conducting research on the French Mandate in Syria. A wonderful European woman was serving as my translator, helping me sort the piles of documents on the years 1920-1946. I mentioned something related to the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, thinking that— from where I came from—everybody knew what Sykes-Picot was. I was mistaken. She innocently looked at me and replied, “Comment?” Taken aback, I asked, “Sykes-Picot! You don’t know Sykes-Picot?” She obviously did not and I began to explain. I suddenly felt envious—very envious. She was so damn lucky for not knowing Sykes-Picot! Our history—thanks to these European powers and our own weaknesses—is riddled with such agreements that have sunk deep into our political consciousness and distorted—or should I say, perverted— our conception of ourselves and everybody around us.