Chapter 445 Farouk I 3

Historically, the Mediterranean was once the most economically developed maritime region in the world. However, with the advent of the Age of Exploration, many ships began to navigate via the Cape of Good Hope and the Magellan Strait, bypassing the relatively enclosed Mediterranean routes. Consequently, the Eastern Mediterranean and Italy, which had been among the world's economic centers, declined. The primary economic drive shifted to the Atlantic coast of Northwestern Europe.

This historical shift began in the 16th century and lasted until the mid-19th century, spanning 300 years. The rise of modern Western Europe and the development of the New World, including the colonies in southwestern Africa, were all connected to this shift. However, the construction of the Suez Canal changed everything.

The concept of the Suez Canal was actually proposed by Italians in the early modern period. They wanted to dig a canal from the eventual site to facilitate their ships' entry into the Red Sea and deeper into the Indian Ocean, challenging the Portuguese control of the Cape route. But due to various reasons, this plan was not approved by the Mamluk Sultan at the time. Consequently, after the Ottomans conquered Egypt, the region began to decline, especially from the late 16th century to the 17th century, as the economic significance of the Mediterranean coast diminished rapidly compared to Northwestern Europe.

In the 19th century, the French were the first to propose the Suez Canal project. The reason was simple: France's Atlantic ports could easily be blockaded by the British Navy during wartime. Unable to hope for a decisive victory over the British in naval battles, the French aimed to connect their remaining bases in the Indian Ocean and the Indian subcontinent via the Suez Canal, facilitating eastern expansion.

Of course, the British could not allow the French to succeed. They bought all the shares of the Suez Canal, gaining control over its management. Subsequently, they placed Egypt under their protectorate, securing this golden waterway. Consequently, even with the French investing heavily in Mediterranean ports, it was in vain. The British, meanwhile, controlled Gibraltar, Malta, and Cyprus, which strategically positioned them in the western, central, and eastern Mediterranean. The British followed this route through the Suez Canal to the Arabian Peninsula's Aden Bay, and further east to India and Malaya. This route became known as the "lifeline of the British Empire."

Now, Germany planned to directly purchase the entire Suez Canal, rendering British shares worthless. Although this was somewhat unconventional commercially, it hardly mattered to the struggling British.

The newly established Suez Canal Company became one of the many subsidiaries of Germany's Zeus Company, with revenue shares distributed as 20%:15%:15%:50%. Egypt received 20% of the revenue, Italy and France each took 15%, and Germany took the remaining 50%.

Farouk was delighted to not only gain 10 billion Reichsmarks but also 20% of the revenue. He eagerly signed the agreement, noting that the British had never shared a penny with him.

After signing, Rommel had Farouk escorted out.

An excited adjutant said, "General, this makes the Mediterranean effectively an inland sea of the Empire. This honor was last held by the Roman Empire."

The Mediterranean has a natural outlet, the Strait of Gibraltar, and an artificial canal, the Suez Canal. Additionally, the Turkish Straits connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, serving as another Mediterranean outlet. Therefore, the Mediterranean has three outlets.

Having already controlled the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, and possessing Malta, known as the heart of the Mediterranean, Germany could now rightfully claim the Mediterranean as an inland sea.

The adjutant eagerly asked, "General, should we immediately attack the Middle East and take control of it?"

At that time, the Middle East was divided into the French-controlled Syria and Lebanon, and the British-controlled Transjordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, and Oman. There were also several independent countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

After France's surrender, Syria and Lebanon were under the control of the Vichy French government, bordering British-controlled areas in the Middle East, creating a tense but non-combative situation.

In the original timeline, some Saudi royal family members were unhappy with the British and had secret dealings with the Germans. However, since the 1930s, the political landscape of Saudi Arabia was controlled by the Seven Sisters oil consortium of Britain and the US, making pro-German forces insignificant. Moreover, with British troops stationed in Oman, Yemen, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt, Saudi Arabia continued to sell oil to the Allies, navigating through World War II peacefully.

In contrast, Iran was a staunch ally of Germany. During World War I, the Qajar dynasty of Iran supported the Central Powers against the Allies, leading to British invasion and the overthrow of the Qajar dynasty. Despite the regime change, Iran's new government continued to support Germany. During World War II, Iran's Pahlavi dynasty remained steadfast in its support for Germany, providing resources and maintaining close ties.

This allegiance naturally led to the Allies' encirclement of Iran, yet Reza Shah of Iran chose to face possible national downfall and exile rather than betray Germany.

Historically, Iran and Germany had a mutual alliance. Even when the US imposed sanctions on Iran, Germany stood by Iran, offering trade and significant economic aid despite potential conflicts with the US. The relationship between Iran and Germany was truly reciprocal.

Rommel asked, "How far have the French advanced?" referring to the French forces attempting to intimidate their colonies.

The adjutant replied, "Reports from this morning indicate they are advancing into Nigeria. There are no British forces there, so their progress is smooth."

East of Nigeria lies Ghana, known as the Gold Coast, where the British focused on extracting gold rather than colonizing Nigeria, delegating the task to the so-called Niger Company. This private trade company acted as a British enforcer, committing numerous atrocities in Nigeria. The local population detested this company, constantly resisting until the British realized it was better to let local chiefs govern, with the British remaining in the background. By 1914, the British merged the northern and southern Nigerian protectorates into one, maintaining indirect rule.

Rommel contemplated and then instructed, "Have the troops rest for a few days. We'll secure Africa first."