He talks about how the British leadership during WWI failed in Mesopotamia by not adding a small increment of force to aid the British troops who were besieged by Turkish forces at Kut, Iraq. The Brits at Kut eventually surrendered to the Turks.

Although the Arabs groaned under Turkish rule, the Brits didn’t give the Arabs any indication of support against the Turks. Thus, at best, the Arab people of the region were indifferent.

As you might expect, the Brits invaded via Basra.

Lawrence turned his interests toward Palestine and Arabia.