In the last years of the 18th century^[1]http://www.timemaps.com/history/middle-east-1789ad and the early years of 19th, the decline in the Ottoman empire power became all too apparent. Egypt^[2]http://www.timemaps.com/history/egypt-1837ad and Syria^[3]http://www.timemaps.com/history/syria-1837ad came under a breakaway regime, and Iraq^[4]http://www.timemaps.com/history/iraq-1837ad was governed as a virtually independent state. Now, however, there are signs of a revival. Iraq first, and now, Syria, are being brought back under the firm control of the Ottomans. Egypt, however, has been lost to the Ottomans. It is treated by Western powers as an independent state.

Iran^[5]http://www.timemaps.com/history/iran-1837ad continues to experience weakness and instability.

The small Arab^[6]http://www.timemaps.com/history/arabia-1837ad emirates on the Gulf coast are beginning to feel the power of the British navy. In Arabia, the first Saudi kingdom was crushed, and a second one has now appeared.