Middle East in WWI Pt 22 Hollow Victor Hollow Victory. The creation of artificial states by the Western Powers gives rise to a Middle East characterized by military conflict and political instability. Beginning in 1920 with a Muslim revolt in Iraq against British rule, the region is plagued by wars, revolts, coups, and interventions up to the present day. The need for oil to fuel Western economies, and the need for pro-Western governments in the Middle East, has been a constant political reality since the end of World War I Show Less >>