The map above is a 2006 proposed plan to redrawn the borders of the Middle East by Ralph Peters, a retired United States Army lieutenant colonel, author, and Fox News commentator. It was original published in the Armed Forces journal in an article titled Blood borders: How a better Middle East would look.
The map would make sweeping changes throughout the region such as:
- Israel: Returns to its pre-1967 borders.
- Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq All lose territory to create a Free Kurdistan.
- Free Kurdistan: New state created for the Kurds.
- Greater Lebanon: a reborn Phoenecia that also gains territory at the expense of Syria.
- Greater Jordan: gains territory at Saudi expense.
- Sunni Iraq: One of three successor states to Iraq, this one would obviously be primarily Sunni.
- Arab Shia State: Another sucssor state to Iraq, would house Iraq’s current Shia population along with gaining territory from Iran.
- Islamic Sacred State: A new state that would act as an Islamic Vatican carved from Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi Arabia: Loses territory to Jordan, Arab Shia State, Yemen and the Islamic Sacred State.
- Yemen: Gains land from Saudi Arabia.
- UAE: Loses territory to Arab Shia State, although Dubai likely to remain an independent playground for the rich.
- Kuwait and Oman would retain their current borders.
- Azerbaijan: Gains territory from Iran.
- Iran: Loses land to Kurdistan, Arab Shia State, Azerbaijan and Free Baluchistan but gains territory from Afghanistan. The goal is to make Iran even more Persian.
- Free Baluchistan: New state for the Baluch people to be carved from Pakistan and Iran.
- Afghanistan: Loses land to Iran in the west but gains land from Pakistan in the east.
- Pakistan: Loses territory to both Free Baluchistan and Afghanistan. It now lies almost entirely east of the Indus.
For a complete explanation why these changes are proposed you should read the original article here.
Keep in mind this map is nearly 10 years old and does not reflect recent developments such as the Arab spring, Yemen civil war or rise of Islamic State.
If you’d like to read more of Ralph Peter’s work have a look at:
- Endless War: Middle-Eastern Islam vs. Western Civilization
- Lines of Fire: A Renegade Writes on Strategy, Intelligence, and Security
- Looking for Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World
What do you think of the this proposed plan? Good idea? Awful idea? Leave your comments below:
Darrel Plant says
Because the whole India/Pakistan partition thing worked so well…
splooge says
well in their case was a little different, everyone was indigenious to the punjab but different relgion, later it gave birth to a free khalistan movement which is famous for the air india bombing.
the above map is more on nationalism then segregation.
Syed says
Partition of India did not work well at all.Cutting it to size will only bring more trouble for the rest of Pakistan because of Punjabi domination and the army.East and West Punjab should form an independent state ,alongwith KPK becoming Afghanistan and Sind remains independent where the migrants at the time of partition are given a province of their own in Karachi
Mike says
Awful idea. I can’t imagine anyone agreeing to it. Concerning Israel, it doesn’t address their security concerns, nor does it make its neighbors recognize their right to exist. Leaving the West Bank underdetermined solves nothing. Good luck getting the major regional powers to agree to this.
Steef Anderson says
The Middle East is not a family heritage that needs to be redistributed. It’s somebody else land. What if Arabs, Kurdes, Pers, Turkes, etc.. come with a new Europe map and a new north American zone map, what would you say ?. I guess what the FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Para Bellum says
Armenia is a big loser here, should go back to original size in compensation for genocide. Afghanistan shoud be split between a Pashtun part and a Tajik (and others) part.
splooge says
beat me to it on afghanistan.
same said about it iran their are many ethinc tribes living in certain areas that are not persian.
the middle east should be like europe, where every people has its own nation.
this is what T E Lawerance of arabia wanted, he wrote up a map of bedouin tribes and their nomad locations as wach being a territory, But that never happened when europe ruled that part of the world
بابك says
The Tajik’s have a country right, Tajikistan?
Palta says
There are more Armenians in Turkey !!!
Recep PALTA says
Today there are almost more Armenians in Turkey, so … the idea of a “Greater Armenia” and a dream!
We also talk about Genocide perpetrated by Armenians against Kurdish tribes…
THE KURD says
Tu rêve 😂
Amir says
Why do you think we would let westerns decide for our nation!? For example as an Azeri from Iran I always know Iran as my motherland and not any other nation! Lets talk about California independence movement more buddy!!!
Steef Anderson says
It looks like you are dividing your backyard.
TMCP says
What about the other regional minorities, especially the indigenous non-Muslims, such as the Christian Assyrians, who has inhabited Iraq centuries before the Arab invasion.
Assyrian says
I’m an assyrian. This map is obviously drawn by an Israeli hater of the assyrians who still hold that old grudge in his heart because of the exile and captivity of the ten tribes of israel by the assyrians. That’s why we have no portion In his hypothetical, delusory, fallacious map.
Teez says
what about Palestine ?
Why you dont give american land to the Jews to ease tension from the middle east
idiots!
shafiq memon says
They are not idiots. Try to study int. politics idiot!
Steef Anderson says
Politics ? you mean colonialism, that’s actually the real description of what is going on here. What rights give a retired lieutenant colonel of the US army to propose a new border map for the Middle East? He is probably talking about a parcel of land that his father left behind to be shared between his brothers.
Bernie Gilbert says
…and they’ll all live happily ever after.
Or else they’ll add it to the list of eternal grievances for which they already merrily slaughter each other.
Can says
I tried to look at this map as a neutral world citizen like it is a demographical ethnic map, even-tough I am Turkish.
Now let see the facts. First of all, it shows every strong state in the region is loosing territory. That is not very possible. Also I see my home city in the Kurdistan state. I am originally Georgian like most of my home city where no Kurds live. And from this fact I think there could be some other faults in other parts of this map. And this shows us the man that draw this map is an American who doesn’t really know the realities of the region like those people who signed Sykes-Picot. I think this kind of interventions from outside of the region are not healthy for people who lives there. And those interventions only happening because to gain benefit -just for the outsiders- from new situation of the region. And we saw what happen to Iraqi citizens during Iraqi War or other people in other conflicts (which are interventions by outside).
To sum up it is an emperialistic bullsh*t.
your neighbour says
You’re absolutely right
Recep PALTA says
The borders of Kurdistan extend to the sea, no doubt for oil reasons…
Mohammad says
Where is the Palestinian state? No remapping and wealth redistribution be fair unless a viable homeland for Palestinian is created based on June 1967 border.
Nazir Hussain says
What a joke? Afghanistan which is unable to maintain control on its present territory gains both from Iran and Pakistan. Is it a day dreaming or sowing seeds of discord and conflict. It is time to consolidate present states and their territories.
Rehan Ahmed says
Try harder zionists. The map is completely according to greater zionist evil agenda, it’s to fool the masses. As u can see the israels map is shown of the same colour as Egypt and other countries, with no prominent border either that are part of their greater Israel evil plans. Heck before Israel illegally started expanding or even the UN set boundaries are Not those presented in the zionist map. Gaza is untouched, Westbank is untouched and disputed (wasn’t it supposed to solve issues) xp, and so called labenon expanded which is not even significant growth. Same case with Iran, they are actually increasing the influence of Iran just by dividing Iraq and in actuality attaching half of It with Iran while destroying KSA the zionists biggest foe. And ofcourse dismantling other enemies like the nuclear power Pakistan ( try invading a nuclear power for a change, it’ll be the last country you’ll invade), and turkey, the biggest obstacle for USA, asad and isis as Turkey is the one that is not allowing genocide of Syrians and funding rebellions of FSA. U keep on Redrawing shitt and sending your soldiers to die in oil and global control imperialism wars
mP says
Does it really matter where the border is ? Take Syria and its recent civil war, is the border really an excuse that somehow turns half the country into murdering, raping and torturing their neighbours ?
Of course not the problem is the culture and religion of those places, its hardly a shock that basically all religious places including islam are the worst places on earth today.
Rehan Ahmed says
Try harder zionists. The map is completely according to greater zionist evil agenda, it’s to fool the masses. As u can see the israels map is shown of the same colour as Egypt and other countries, with no prominent border either that are part of their greater Israel evil plans. Heck before Israel illegally started expanding or even the UN set boundaries are Not those presented in the zionist map. Gaza is untouched, Westbank is untouched and disputed (wasn’t it supposed to solve issues) xp, and so called labenon expanded which is not even significant growth. Same case with Iran, they are actually increasing the influence of Iran just by dividing Iraq and in actuality attaching half of It with Iran while destroying KSA the zionists biggest foe. And ofcourse dismantling other enemies like the nuclear power Pakistan ( try invading a nuclear power for a change, it’ll be the last country you’ll invade), and turkey, the biggest obstacle for USA, asad and isis as Turkey is the one that is not allowing genocide of Syrians and funding rebellions of FSA. U keep on Redrawing shitt and sending your soldiers to die in oil and global control imperialism wars
Break says
really!? KSA is the biggest enemy of Zionists?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Turkey is the biggest obstacle for the US ?!!!!!!!!!!!
Saleh Shafi says
Not to mention giving west of Pakistan to Afghanistan and Baluchistan destroys China’s plans for a trade route to the Gawadar port, serving America’s interests in restraining China’s growing economy. And I think China is the biggest threat to the US to be honest.
tiger says
Besides its obvious neo-colonial bias and typical American ignorance, it presumes that different religious, ethnic and language groups cannot co-habit, when reality contradicts this in many other regions. Why aren’t we dividing Britain, France, Holland, Germany, Italy, for example, back into their old, hostile, regions? Because they’ve already been subdued and tamed.
The Middle East regions are still independent in thought, culture and language but, barring external meddling, maintain a coherent co-existence. They must resist this imperialist plan or accept subjugation to the West.
David Nader says
Almost brilliant
DisturbedCoder says
LOL. Americans being americans.
DisturbedCoder says
“The goal is to make Iran even more Persian”
How about making the Americas more indigenous?
Clint Hoyt says
This Map is a design for disaster and war. The nations of the middle east will and do see this as stupid Christian Westerners trying to enforce their will on the Middle East. They will all ban together to stop this and we will end up with a full scale WORLD war that will end with the Middle East dictating terms to the defeated US as we are too dependent on their Oil
In Short Ralph Peter is willing to start a war just to see his Nightmare enforced.
Balram says
Points of perfection:
1) The Kurdish people definitely deserve their free state, with special status granted to the Yazidi population as they suffered the worst as a result of not having a Kurdish state (to the Islamic state that is).
2) An Islamic sacred site for all Muslims in Mecca and Medina would be fabulous, as to prevent sectarian violence within Islam (as Sunnis-Shi’ites feud plenty, Ismailis, Sufis, Ahmaddiyas especially, have all been victims of this also), a sacred site with all donations devoted towards secular schools, hospitals etc., would be ideal. Rather than anymore Wahhabi/Salafi mosques for sectarian islamic fanatic indoctrination.
3) An Arab Shi’ite state carved out of the body of Iraq would be fabulous, as they suffered under Saddam Hussein plenty, they will lean towards Kurdistan/Iran, thus adding stability. With Sunni Iraq naturally aligning with Turkey/Syria/Arabia.
4) Jordan has proven itself a secular modern state, providing troops against ISIS, more territory for it wouldn’t be a bad thing I don’t think.
Points of improvement:
1) The balkanisation of Pakistan halts at Baluchistan, expanded Afghanistan (including the NWSF provinces), and Kashmir under Indian governance. However, I’d suggest as Pakistan is a purist state (Pak- literally means pure, and -stan referring to the “land of,” and thus Pakistan is “land of the pure,” referring to purity from dark skinned idol worshipping Hindus, as their education system constantly reiterates), a complete dismantlement would be ideal.
Sindh/Sindudesh should be an additional state carved from the south east, and Punjab, the region from where the concept of Pakistan arose, shall remain the only region where the notion of a Pakistani state may remain.
2) Better give all of the islands under Turkish rule to the Greeks, as compensation for the Greek genocide under the Ottoman empire (which is one of countless, two other notable genocides being the Assyrian and Armenian genocides).
Points of fault:
1) Carving out Balochistan out of Pakistan would be tough, but not impossible as Pakistanis are persecuting them, creating a market for Balochistani liberation, and thus fighters willing to join the cause. It is a different story in Iran though, it might not be best to grab Iranian Balochistan just yet.
All-in-all, an interesting read, I can’t see I’ve seen anything like it before, but these borders make much more sense than the European-carved out borders, which were designed for the imperial interests of the Europeans, and the Europeans alone. Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Turkey are all examples of this. The Europeans didn’t even think it through well-enough, because had they done so, having seen recent history, it becomes obvious that sincerely designed borders would have been the obvious course of action as to cause minimal pain/suffering and maximal peace, pride and prosperity.
waqas says
this map is shit .. inshaa ALLAH this will never happen
Graham K. says
Time to redraw greater Mexico, Smaller USA, Divided Canada maps too.
Dave says
No matter how you draw it, they always will have a reason to complain.
Current borders are no good since they were drawn by the victors of WW1 after the Ottoman empire fell. It placed multiple cultures within one country border and the region does not do multiculturalism well. Multiculturalism is forced upon the West by many of them who emigrated, but they do not want it at home.
Any attempt from outsiders to redraw the map will result in hostile reactions. So the last solution is that the region decides themselves how to redraw the map, if at all. IF they can do it peacefully, great. If not, let them fight it out among themselves, same way Europe decided on its borders. Without outside interference. Once the dust settles, the natural borders will be decided and everyone can live happily ever after.
Bardiya says
Agree with your comment completely, but seems like no one is going to give it a shot.
mP says
Why would a border line cause half a country to kill the other half as we see everywhere in the muslim world from Libya, to ISIS, to Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and more.
Bardiya says
I think the underlining idea is right that the some, if not all, the borders of the region need be redrawn but clearly there are lots of inaccuracies which is understandable from an American. An example is the area including Bushehr of Iran, is given to the to-be-born Shia-Iraq while that area is home to some of the most patriotic Iranian people and are not Arab by any definition.
Rehan says
Wao another “Wet Dream” of USA. They don’t know damn thing about geography and cultures. They are also totally blind about what they want to gain but they are just drawing lines on the map while sitting thousands of miles away in their comfortable air conditioned rooms.
Till now all their “genius plans” have just further f**ked up the things…
So best of luck this time 🤗
Al says
They also tried this with Europe following the First World War…
James says
Armenia should gain Artsakh from Azerbaijan or Artsakh should become its own state
Steve says
What acronym might be used for the Saudi Homelands Independent Territory?
I think someone might have been trying to make a point here.
Friendly Redrawing Master says
I have much simpler ambitions.
Can I please redraw the area of Ralph Peter’s residence to my name.
it’s much smaller than the sweeping changes he proposes, I’m sure he wont mind.
As he is so generous with other people’s affairs, I’m also sure he wont mind if his bank account is also redrawn in a friendly manner.
I would say something about ignorant Americans. but most Americans are not as ignorant as Mr Peter.
David Allan says
Hahaha, wishful thinking of white trash knight template.
Nawzad Mahmood says
Ralph Peters accused the Europeans of the mistakes they have done to ethnic groups in middle east. The Kurds were the major losers in this area division. After the WW1
Germany and Tukey lost the war they divided the Kurds.
If this map is exactly what the Americans have in mind then they make also a big mistake the same as the Europeans.
1-If we look at the borders of Kurdistan we see it is even worse than what the Europeans have in mind. For example north Syria is inhabited for millennia’s by the Kurds until recent years when the Americans themselves allowed the Turkish army with their mercenaries to displace 300 Kurds from the region, and ironically enough it is not included in the map as well as the the southern territories of Turkey which lies on the shore. I strongly believe the history and the geography of Kurdistan should be decided by the Kurds themselves and not by others.
2-The area which now is called Lorestan which are always inhabited by the Kurds is also not include. This region is affirmed to be part of Kurdistan by most of the Arab historians but now is denied by this plan to be part of Kurdistan.
MarkhorIRP@hotmail.com says
Either Ralph Peters or whoever this guy has been paid hugely with security provided for him and his family for life, Now to be Frank and honest I only ask those who are behind these evil plans what if China 🇨🇳, Pakistan 🇵🇰, Russia 🇷🇺, Turkey 🇹🇷, Germany 🇩🇪 Japan 🇯🇵 North Korea 🇰🇵, Iran 🇮🇷 and other like minded Countries come up with their own plans for America 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, Europe 🇪🇺, Now if anyone in the world 🌎 believes that the Germans, Italians, Japanese and the Russians have lost their memories then those are living in a fools paradise, the world 🌎 have changed and its changing very very rapidly especially with the Dawn and the Rise of the Asian century the Americans empire is declining too fast so it would be better for the sake of humanity that these people especially the Evil Zionist and their evil 😈 zionist ideology should be condemned and stopped even by force if necessary. Has humanity have not learned their lessons from history and is there any benefits of war’s other than death destruction misery sufferings and loss of our home called planet earth 🌏
Shorsh says
Excellent plan, this could have been the solution for ME problems .
Giles Burgess-Philby says
Look at the acronyms, in a North-South manner.
Alparslan says
Kurds could NEVER found a state in Turkish territory. Never. These are coward who hide behind USA and West effendi.
Shan says
Wow! Humanity REFUSES to learn lessons from wars. The MIST negative feature of life. WAR. What does one achieve with war?? Nothing but misery. Humans should get together and forget about divisions. Live in peace as this is the ONLY PLANET we can live on. STOP fighting and improve this Mother Earth.
Unknown Askar says
I absolutely LOVE this new map but needs some space for critics. A “sunni Iraq” and “Arab Shia State” would definitely cause a bigger civil war in todays Iraq. A free Kurdistan should be increased as greater Kurdistan is way broader than on the map. Armenia should gain territory from Azerbaijan such as Artsakh due to historical issues. As Greece is not a part of middle east, they should gain territory such as Constantinople (todays Istanbul) due to historical issues.
Mahendra HC II says
Sir I wonder if American think Indian will wears Bangles if they may easily give the Indian Territory of Baltistan & Gilgit along with POK or Area till Hindukush behind LOC. The people living there are even today Indian.
India will recuperate this Area in next 10 years not with Bloodshed rather the People of this Area will hail like they did in East & West German to rejoin Laddakh again as the inhabitant of these Area are Laddakhi, got same culture, same language same DNA.
As well I am sure India will never not let Pakistan division in which behind Indus River should be given to Taliban or become Area of Afghanistan.
Indus River is the ‘Identity River’ of Indian Inhabitant, with Pakistan is acceptable because Pakistanis are born Bhartiya (Indian) too.
Indian feel Pakistani as their pernickety Brother although Pakistani they may not feel such but if it come to loose their own Nation they will look at India to help them to fight back.
As India will never accept that specific Indus Area should be a part of Afghanistan, for its own interests it will come forward to help Pakistan.
China will never allow USA to takeover the Belochistan and the Area of Kashmir which was gifted them by Pakistan in 1963.
Similar Iran will never give up its Chahbahar Port and other Balochistan (Indian) Area which remain in 1929 whilst creation of Iran.
Looser like American will never successful in their such stupid Plan.
Soon USA,Canada & European they will be suffering due to forthcoming new Geopolitical Problems .. they may not transport any Civil Cargo and Naval Ship in these Area.
Ami’s had never won any War until now but they create Bloodshed every where due to their Weapon Industry, after Ukrain Geopolitic will be totally change.
Ami’s killed more then 1 Million Vietnamis, more then half Million Muslim died in Mid-East and now in Ukrain, which will be the last war which USA had Financed.
Europe will die and will take USA along with them down.
Such Bloody Warhounds like Ami’s will be Terminated by its own vicissitude doings.
Thanks
Mahendra HC II