The formation of Arab nations Much of the modern Arab political world was born at the end of the First World War, as external powers divided up their shares of territories loyal to their diets. For example, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon emerged alongside the precarious state of Palestine. During the Second World War, these states had begun to seek independence and the following decades would witness revolutions, regime changes, violence and, ultimately, a break from the grip of the Empire Ottoman and European powers (Provence). Today, the so-called "Arab Spring" uprisings, which have lasted for several years, are in part the result of political rule and administration exercised by external powers in the mid-20th century. At the start of the 20th century, the Arab world was primarily composed of nomadic pastoralists in the interior desert regions and urban dwellers along the coastal regions occupying key trading outposts (Anderson). Although the populations shared some commonalities, such as language and religion, they did not have much else in common. This distinction became a matter of contention after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. However, before that, Ottoman officials and European powers, primarily the United Kingdom and France, sought political influence in the region. (Provence). After World War I, countries that had spent enormous amounts of blood and treasure felt a real incentive to exert their influence. get involved in outlying regions and ensure their political views are supported. For example, young Arab states tended to support communist parties within their governments. An example of this is the Baath Party, an Arab party that still exists today. The early Arab states also adopted the political traditions of the Ottoman Empire, and this was in the middle of the article......news.org/report/70244/iraq-jordan-counting-iraqis-to- allay-fears >.Long, Jerry M.. Saddam's War of Words: Politics, Religion, and the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2004. Print. Provence, Michael. The Great Syrian Revolt and the Rise of Arab Nationalism. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2005. Print. Shryock, Andrew. Nationalism and Genealogical Imagination, Oral History and Textual Authority in Tribal Jordan. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997. Print. Sullivan, Kevin. “In Tunisia, the Islamist government is paralyzed by backlash from the middle class and extremist violence.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, September 18, 2013. Web. February 9. 2014. .