Coloniality and Communications: Imperial Air Force in Mesopotamia (Episode 2)

This episode features Burçe Çelik examining an image published in Illustrated London News in 1917 that depicts the Mesopotamian theatre of the First World War. The video places the image within the context of British–Ottoman conflict, in which air power became an increasingly important element of warfare. Following the British defeat at Kut in 1916, the image can be understood as part of a broader effort to highlight British military capabilities, particularly through the Royal Air Corps. Airplanes, supported by technologies such as aerial photography and wireless communication, are discussed as key features of modern warfare, illustrating how air and communication technologies contributed to contemporary representations of power and conflict.© the creators