The Dardanelles, as depicted in a WW1 copy of The Graphic magazine.
Gallipoli, oil and history
Some historians assert that access to oil was a factor in Britain's decision to try to force the Dardanelles in 1915. Others disagree. Still, nobody doubts that the Middle East's oil was emerging as a major geopolitical factor at the time, and many of the military decisions in the area were deeply rooted in concern about controlling this critical resource. Persia (Iran), Mesopotamia (Iraq) and all the other names that still resound in our daily news feeds were already central to global empire planning. And here we are today: a blockaded strait, a naval stand-off and…