The major turning point in Middle Eastern history initiated by the establishment of modern nations in the 20th century was the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. The subsequent Treaty of Sèvres in 1920 facilitated the partition of Ottoman territories, leading to the creation of new nation-states like Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. These changes redrew borders based on colonial interests rather than ethnic or cultural identities, generating long-standing tensions. The arbitrary borders and mandates laid the foundation for regional conflicts, with implications that persist today, including struggles over nationalism, sectarian divides, and territorial disputes.