Virtually the entire modern ME traces its origins back to WW1. Both Britain and France controlled "Mandates" in the region which eventually became Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel. The British and French had also initially led the Arabs to believe they would be allowed to have their own kingdom but then planned between themselves how to carve up the area. British support, even if limited, for growing Zionist immigration to Palestine also increased tensions and led to occasional revolts and violence on all sides between the wars.