What is the Middle East? Concept, Scope and Important Role in the World
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Key Points
- The concept of Middle East refers to a geopolitically and economically important geographical region.
- This region is at the crossroads of three continents, Asia, Europe, and Africa, a place with cultural, religious, and historical diversity.
- The Middle East holds large oil and gas reserves, playing a significant role in global energy security.
- This region is the site of many political conflicts, with a large impact on international issues.
Table of Contents
- What is the concept of the Middle East? From Middle East history to today
- Geographical Scope of the Middle East: Typical Middle East Countries
- Middle East Cultural Characteristics and Diverse Middle East Population
- Economy and Geopolitical Role of the Middle East in the Modern World
- Influence of the Middle East on the World: Middle East History and Global Importance
- Conclusion: What is the Middle East and why does it still hold global importance?
What is the concept of the Middle East? From Middle East history to today
The concept of What is the Middle East is used to refer to a geographical region situated between the three continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa. The Middle East holds significant strategic importance both geopolitically and economically. This region extends from the eastern and southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the edge of South Asia, encompassing most of Western Asia and some North African countries.
The concept of the “Middle East” emerged during the Middle Ages. Initially, ancient Romans used this term to refer to the countries located east of the Mediterranean Sea, considering it a buffer zone for journeys to the East or North Africa. By the Early Modern period, under the influence of Christianity and the Crusades, the “Middle East” was called the land of infidels.
After World War I, the term expanded to refer only to the land between Turkey and the Far East. By the end of World War II, the scope of the Middle East was further expanded, including areas from South Asia to North Africa, mainly the countries of West Asia and North Africa today. This change shows that the history of the Middle East is both closely linked to political changes and reflects changes in the geographical and cultural perspectives of countries outside the region.
The Middle East is often confused with West Asia, North Africa, or the Near East. The scope and name change depending on the source and purpose of use, leading to much debate about precisely which countries belong to the Middle East. For example, some views consider the Middle East only West Asia, while others broaden the scope to include North Africa or Southeast Asia (such as Pakistan, Afghanistan). This causes complexity in research as well as in international policy analyses.
Geographical Scope of the Middle East: Typical Middle East Countries
Overall, the Middle East corresponds to the region that many experts call Southwest Asia, extending from the eastern Mediterranean to Iran. This region includes the Arabian Peninsula and several North African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This geographical location helps the Middle East become an essential bridge between continents, while also playing a strategic role in trade and regional security.
Typical countries belonging to the Middle East include:
- Western Asia:
- Turkey
- Syria
- Lebanon
- Israel
- Palestine
- Jordan
- Iraq
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- North Africa:
- Egypt (always considered part of the Middle East by most views)
- Sometimes includes Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
- Extended part (controversial): Some scholars also consider Afghanistan and Pakistan part of the Middle East due to cultural and historical relations.
The lack of consensus on the scope of the Middle East remains a controversial topic among researchers and international organizations. The main issue is whether to include North African countries such as Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in the Middle East, as well as considering Cyprus, Sudan, and Afghanistan as peripheral areas of the Middle East or separate entities. This significantly affects regional political, economic, and strategic analyses.
Middle East Cultural Characteristics and Diverse Middle East Population
The Middle East possesses a rich and diverse culture. The main language is Arabic, the most widely spoken language in the region, but there are also many other languages such as Turkish, Persian (Farsi), Hebrew, Kurdish, and many other local languages. This linguistic diversity reflects a long history of trade, migration, and cultural exchange.
The Middle East is the cradle of three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Among these, the majority of the population follows Islam (both Sunni and Shia). Additionally, there are Christian and Jewish communities and other small religious groups living interspersed throughout many countries. Religion is not only a spiritual factor but also an important pillar in social and political life in this region.
The Middle East region preserves many prominent cultural and historical sites such as:
- Pyramids of Egypt – architectural symbols and the power of ancient civilization.
- Ancient City of Jerusalem – an important religious center with sacred significance in the three major religions.
- Persepolis (Iran) – the ancient capital of the mighty Persian Empire.
- Holy City of Mecca – the foremost sacred place in Islam.
Furthermore, Middle Eastern culture is a blend of Arab, Persian, Ottoman, and Jewish traditional values. This diversity makes the Middle East a region with unique historical and spiritual appeal in the world.
Economy and Geopolitical Role of the Middle East in the Modern World
Middle East Economy and Global Energy Sources
The Middle East holds most of the world’s oil and natural gas reserves, playing a crucial role in global energy security. Oil and gas are the main economic sectors, bringing significant revenue to the countries in the region. Additionally, the finance, cultural – religious tourism, and agriculture sectors in riverine areas also contribute to diverse economic development.
Middle East Politics: Complex History and Conflicts
This region has a turbulent political history with various regimes such as monarchies, republics, military aid governments, and autonomous militia groups. Some notable political events include:
- Arab-Israeli Wars with conflicts lasting for decades.
- Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979, completely changing the regional political landscape.
- Severe and persistent Israel-Palestine conflict.
- The Arab Spring in 2010-2011, creating major political upheavals in many countries.
- Protracted crises in Syria, Iraq, Yemen causing unstable security situations.
Geopolitical Role of the Middle East on the International Stage
Thanks to its strategic location and rich resources, the Middle East has always been a hotspot of contention among world powers. The transportation of oil through the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz further enhances the military and economic importance of this region. Major powers such as the United States, Russia, China, and the European Union all have a presence or deep political influence in the Middle East to protect their interests.
Influence of the Middle East on the World: Middle East History and Global Importance
The Middle East – The Cradle of Human Civilization
The Middle East is the origin of the development of many ancient civilizations, the foundation for humanity with important inventions such as writing, law, and ancient science. The long history of the Middle East plays an essential role in the development of global civilization.
Global Religious and Cultural Influence
Three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all originated from the Middle East and spread throughout the world. These religious impacts not only affect customs and social culture but also significantly influence politics and international relations.
Oil Economy and Global Impact
The Middle East dominates the global oil market, directly affecting energy prices and export volumes worldwide. Oil crises, the Gulf War, and prolonged conflicts in the Middle East always have negative impacts or profoundly change the global economy.
Political and Diplomatic Impact
Major events such as the Gulf War, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the Arab Spring have created significant changes in the foreign policies of many countries. The Middle East has become the focal point of peace negotiations, regional disputes, and complex geopolitical activities.
Conclusion: What is the Middle East and why does it still hold global importance?
Thus, the Middle East is both a geographical region with a non-fixed scope and a cultural, economic, and political space of global strategic importance. With its diversity in ethnicity, religion, and historical traditions, as well as continuous geopolitical fluctuations, the Middle East always maintains a crucial position in the perception and policies of the modern world.
If you want to explore the Middle East more deeply, historical research materials, international analyses, and updated news sources from BBC, Reuters, or specialized reports on history, economy, and politics will be useful tools to access comprehensive and multifaceted knowledge about this region.
The article is based on research and information from historical archives and political analysis such as Historical Studies, World History, and reputable international sources.
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