'Middle' Of Where And 'East' Of What? How The ‘Middle East’ Got Its Name

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 14:20 IST

What does the term ‘Middle East’ really mean and who decided it? The answer lies buried in history, where maps were drawn not just by geography, but by power and perspective

At present, headlines around the world are dominated by the US-Israel and Iran war. In the midst of such coverage, one term appears repeatedly – ‘Middle East’. It is used in news reports, academic texts and diplomatic discussions almost every day.

Yet few pause to consider what the phrase truly means. Whose ‘middle’ is being referred to? And east of where? Although the term sounds neutral and geographical, its origins are deeply rooted in the colonial era, when the British Empire shaped global narratives and maps according to its own strategic interests.

A Colonial-Era Invention

The term ‘Middle East’ was first used in 1902 by American naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan. Writing about British geopolitical interests, he described the region between India and the Persian Gulf, the latter being the historical name associated with Iran, as the ‘Middle East’.

Crucially, his viewpoint was centred on Europe. At the time, the world was commonly divided into three broad zones: the ‘Near East’ (referring largely to the Balkans and territories of the Ottoman Empire), the ‘Middle East’ (the area between India and the Persian Gulf), and the ‘Far East’ (including countries such as China and Japan).

Each of these labels was based on distance from London, effectively placing Europe at the centre of the world map.

Geography Or Imperial Strategy?

As the British Empire expanded across continents, it required convenient terminology to classify its vast territories. Regions such as Egypt were grouped under the ‘Middle East’ because they lay east of London, though not as distant as the ‘Far East’ of Asia.

Meanwhile, British India was sometimes described as part of the ‘Far East’ due to its considerable distance from Europe.

These designations were far from neutral. They were shaped by imperial trade routes, naval power and strategic interests rather than by cultural or geographical realities.

After World War I: A Broader Usage

Following the First World War and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, several new nations emerged across West Asia. During this transitional period, British and American officials began using ‘Middle East’ more widely in diplomatic and military contexts.

The phrase gradually became a convenient umbrella term for policy-making and strategic planning. However, its boundaries were never clearly defined. Even today, there is ongoing debate about whether countries such as Iran, Turkey or parts of North Africa should be included within the ‘Middle East’.

A Region Reduced To Stereotypes

Over time, the term has acquired layered meanings. In global media, it is often associated with oil reserves, armed conflict, political instability and war. Yet geographically, the region stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf and encompasses a vast mosaic of histories, languages, religions and cultures.

Many scholars argue that the label ‘Middle East’ compresses this diversity into a single, oversimplified category.

Europe At The Centre

The common thread linking ‘Near East’, ‘Middle East’ and ‘Far East’ is the assumption that Europe is the central reference point. Interestingly, if one looks westwards from London, no one refers to territories across the Atlantic as the ‘Middle West’. The terminology reveals a distinctly Eurocentric worldview.

The continued use of ‘Middle East’ illustrates how colonial-era language still influences modern thinking and global discourse.

Calls For Alternative Terms

In recent decades, some academics and policymakers have preferred expressions such as ‘West Asia’ or ‘North Africa’. These alternatives are considered more geographically precise and less centred on Europe.

Despite this, ‘Middle East’ remains the dominant term in diplomacy, journalism and everyday speech. Replacing it would not merely involve changing vocabulary; it would require re-examining who has the authority to name regions and from which perspective.

More Than Just A Direction

In essence, ‘Middle East’ is not a natural directional term like north or south. It is a concept born out of empire, history and strategy. The region is ‘middle’ only if the map begins from Europe.

The next time the term appears on your screen, it is worth remembering that it represents more than geography; it carries the legacy of colonial power and historical perspective.

News world 'Middle' Of Where And 'East' Of What? How The ‘Middle East’ Got Its Name

Read More