The Middle East and the Western world have been entwined for decades, ever since the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1918 at the end of World War I. This event has been a source of tension and conflict in the region ever since, and now a documentary is being released to shed light on this important issue. Blood and Oil was created by Marty Callaghan and follows the events that led to foreign occupation of this land, as well as present day struggles surrounding oil dependency between the West and Middle East.
This account begins with WWI, when British forces attempted to take control of Istanbul, but instead ended up in an eight month-long series of battles with heavy losses on both sides. The SS River Clyde became beached while attempting to land troops at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915, resulting in many soldiers getting shot before they could reach safety. The sea was stained scarlet with their spilled blood, and it seemed like there would be no end to this tragedy.
The effects of WWI are still felt today, especially within U.S forces who are stationed across the Middle East as part of ‘peacekeeping operations’ or ‘the War on Terror.’ But what’s really going on beneath these cover stories? It seems that Western powers are simply trying to protect their oil supply from being disrupted – something that would cause severe economic hardship if a steady flow was blocked.
It’s time for us all to learn about this issue in greater detail so we can understand why it’s important to work towards peace in this region. Blood and Oil is an informative documentary that introduces viewers to all aspects of this complex story, from foreign occupation to misery caused by greed for oil. Tune into Blood and Oil today for a compelling look at an often ignored aspect of our history that continues to have far-reaching consequences today.
