This is an idea that I had a long time ago, and I'm interested in exploring its viability. I'm placing it in the post-1900 forum because I believe that that is where the most interesting WIs can develop in regards to it. Simply put: WI there was a sizable island nation in the Arabian Sea?
I have not worked out the precise location, but I can imagine it south of western Pakistan, but close enough to the Middle East proper to where, under the right hands, it could control traffic in the Straits of Hormuz. The USA, the UK, and the West in general would therefore obviously have a great deal of interest in the nation due to its strategic location. Perhaps it would share a similar situation with Gibraltar or Malta.
How would this affect the Middle East, specifically the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf? Would the Iranian Revolution or an event like it have any great effect on the nation? What would the island's demographics and culture look like--any chance of a sizable Maronite or Ethiopian Orthodox minority existing on the island?
I have not worked out the precise location, but I can imagine it south of western Pakistan, but close enough to the Middle East proper to where, under the right hands, it could control traffic in the Straits of Hormuz. The USA, the UK, and the West in general would therefore obviously have a great deal of interest in the nation due to its strategic location. Perhaps it would share a similar situation with Gibraltar or Malta.
How would this affect the Middle East, specifically the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf? Would the Iranian Revolution or an event like it have any great effect on the nation? What would the island's demographics and culture look like--any chance of a sizable Maronite or Ethiopian Orthodox minority existing on the island?