Correspondence that Shaped the Druze State, 1920- 1921

The study Correspondence that Shaped the Druze State, 1920-1921 by Nawras Aziz examines the formation of the State of Jabal al-Druze during the early French Mandate in Syria. Focusing on archival sources from the French Diplomatic Archives and the French Ministry of Defense, the research highlights the pivotal role of Lieutenant Colonel Georges Catroux in establishing political and administrative control over the Druze region without military conflict. Between 1920 and 1921, Catroux employed a combination of strategic diplomacy, financial incentives, and covert operations to manage internal divisions among local Druze leadership, ensure the selection of Salim al-Aṭrash as the pro-French prince, and delineate the state’s borders on ethnographic principles. The analysis of four key letters from Catroux to General Henri Gouraud demonstrates how he leveraged both local rivalries and targeted monetary support to secure compliance while presenting the process as locally autonomous. This case study illustrates the intersection of colonial strategy, local governance, and political manipulation, providing a clear foundation for understanding the early administrative formation of the Druze State under French oversight.