Research Information System
Yakin Donem Turkiye Arastirmalari, vol.2024, no.45, pp.1-26, 2024 (ESCI)
The concept of the modern Middle East originated in the 19th century due to the colonial ambitions of Western nations. Since then, the Middle East has been a battleground for Western powers seeking to assert control over its political, strategic, and economic interests. This study examines the historical construction of the “Middle East” concept, focusing on the period between 1878 and 1979 as a critical juncture. It analyzes how this construction shaped the perception of the region in Western public opinion. The article is divided into two main parts. The first part examines how the Middle East was perceived as a geographical, sociological, and political asset for specific political goals in the modern era. It then analyzes the events that shaped the concept of the Middle East from the late 19th century to the late 20th century within this ideological framework. The focus is not on providing a chronological account of Middle Eastern developments in the modern era but on assessing how the events between 1878 and 1979 have influenced the Western public’s perception of the “Middle East” today.