Imagining a Remapped Middle East
How 5 Countries Could Become 14 Slowly, the map of the Middle East could be redrawn. An analysis by Robin Wright. Related Article » SPILLOVER TO IRAQ In the simplest of several possibilities, northern Kurds join Syrian Kurds. Many central areas, dominated by Sunnis, join Syria’s Sunnis. And the south becomes Shiitestan. It’s not likely to be so clean. In a more powerful twist, all or part of South Yemen could then become part of Saudi Arabia. Nearly all Saudi commerce is via sea, and direct access to the Arabian Sea would diminish dependence on the Persian Gulf — and fears of Iran’s ability to cut off the Strait of Hormuz. YEMEN SPLITS The poorest Arab country could break (again) into two pieces following a potential referendum in South Yemen on independence. LIBYA UNGLUED As a result of powerful tribal and regional rivalries, Libya could break into its two historic parts — Tripolitania and Cyrenaica — and po...