History, geography: the term “Middle East”, part 1

Self-tutoring about history and geography: the tutor reflects on the term “Middle East.”

When I was a kid, the Middle East probably made more news than any place else: it was a contentious part of the world. It seemed everyone either wanted influence there, or wanted to know who had. Borders seemed to be an issue. That’s the picture I got, absorbing the news my parents were always listening to on the radio.

The Middle East seems much quieter today than in the 70s. However, I’ve noticed recently a new controversy: the very term “Middle East.” Apparently, “Middle East” isn’t everyone’s favourite name for it.

I’ll admit I’ve always liked the term “Middle East.” Everyone knows what it means, and yet, as arabamerica points out, it’s a vague term at the same time: while known to include Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, does it include Iran, for instance? Turkey? Does it reach into Africa?

I suppose you could call the region “Southwest Asia.” That term is equally vague, since once again it doesn’t define the region’s north, south, or eastern limits. If you think it means Egypt as well, you could call it “Southwest Asia and Egypt.”

So far as I’m aware, it’s just as likely I’ll never make it to the Eastern Mediterranean. Yet, I think about it often; so much has happened there, and continues to happen. What name would you propose for the region that’s been known as the Middle East?