Since the First World War, the term has referred to the strategy of dividing existing states in such a manner as to ensure future infighting, thus necessitating a strategic role of a third set of nations, as arms suppliers and peace brokers.[2] Think tanks in Washington refer to this strategy as "Syriana", as was done after the First World War in the Middle East by the British, French and Italian colonial powers, the partitioning of India by the British and in Yemen by the British and French.[3][4]