Britain feared a strong Egypt-Syria-Baghdad state would make the Sultan Russia’s vassal

Evidence

We ought to tell the Pasha forthwith to retire to Egypt [he wrote to Granville, the Ambassador to Paris] … That the possession of Syria must carry with it that of Bagdad, a glance of the map will serve to shew … But it is very doubtful whether it could be for the advantage of England that the Sultan should be so weakened and that a new state should be created in Egypt, Syria and Bagdad. It is obvious that so great a defalcation from the territory and resources of the Sultan would render him less able than he is now to resist Russia, and that he would really become her vassal … This is by no means what we wish … — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 1573

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s interest in how Ottoman, British, and Egyptian powers interacted.