The early years of the second half of the 18th century saw the Russian Empire's resumption of its earlier expansions southward towards the Black Sea, where the Ottoman Empire obtained political, economic, and religious influence. Empress Catherine II, who wanted to follow in the footsteps of Peter the Great, builder and of the Russian Empire, moved the war with the Ottomans from the Caucasus, Crimea, and the Black Sea to Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. She contacted local ambitious rulers and governors inclining toward independence and supported them in order to create internal confusion in the Ottoman Empire and distract it further. Several conflicts over influence occurred between local governors in Egypt and Syria, which re-divided political roles and positions to suit the interests of the Sultanate. One of most prominent governors was Emir Yusuf Shihab of Mount Lebanon. This study attempts to explain the reasons that led to these political changes.
