The Middle East is a geopolitical region usually defined as Egypt together with West Asia, excluding the Caucasus. The term describes a political and strategic area rather than a continent or a single cultural zone. Its boundaries vary by institution and subject.

The region includes major oil and gas producers, global shipping routes and the holy sites of several religions. Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew and many other languages are spoken across states with different political systems and alliances. Egypt makes the usual definition transcontinental because most of its territory lies in Africa. Regional datasets use different boundaries, with some adding North Africa, Afghanistan or other neighbouring areas.

Common Questions

Reference

where does the term Middle East come from?

The term may have originated with Britain's India Office in the 1850s and was popularised by the American naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan in 1902.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East

which countries are in the Middle East?

The Middle East is generally defined as Egypt plus the countries of West Asia, excluding the Caucasus.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East

were Harmattan AI's interceptors tested in the Middle East?

Yes. The French Army's two-month trials of Harmattan AI's interceptor drones, run under its counter-drone centre CERLAD, included Middle East operations before the DGA's September 2026 order.Source: event

Source Material

Middle East

How the World Sees Them

Apartur (Barcelona tourist-flat operators)

disproportionate

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy

fully operational by March of next year

Venice budget assessor Michele Zuin

Una cifra intorno ai 30 euro potrebbe essere la soluzione più concreta

Cape Town housing group Ndifuna Ukwazi

strangling our housing supply

Medellín mayor Federico Gutiérrez

Estoy del lado de proteger la vivienda familiar

Saint Lucia prime minister Philip J. Pierre

The Europeans are adamant

European Commission

outrageous

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.