Importance of the Middle East to World History

1.0??????Introduction

The Middle East is often considered one of the most turbulent and important areas globally (Haugbolle, 2019), and it has played an enormous part in the annals of human history. Because of its advantageous geographical position, the area has emerged as a preeminent centre for international commerce, cultural exchange, and political influence throughout the course of human history. The Middle East is an area that has a long, complicated, and intertwined history; as a result, it has had a significant effect on the affairs of the globe and has been at the heart of many of the pivotal events that have shaped the course of human history (Brockett, 2014; Koch & Stivachtis, 2018).

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2.0??????Cradle for Religious Movement Development

The Middle East has an extensive cultural history and is the birthplace of several civilisations, religions, and ways of life that have affected the past and the present (van Nieuwkerk, 2021). From the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia to the more ancient cultures of Judea, Syria, and the surrounding area, the Middle East has been a centre for the cultures, religions, and practices that have shaped the contemporary world for ages (van Nieuwkerk, 2021).

Mesopotamia is one of the world’s oldest civilisations, and its earliest cultures existed in modern-day Iraq, Iran, and Syria (Schayegh, 2017). The emergence of written language, governance, mathematics, and literature in this region significantly impacted world history. Hammurabi and Gilgamesh were two of the most influential figures in Mesopotamian civilisation, and their legends are today in literature and art. The laws presented by Hammurabi in the Code of Hammurabi continue to influence decision-making and moral standards in contemporary culture (Schayegh, 2017).

Kemet, the Egyptian religion, originated with the founding of the Egyptian monarchy (Tucker, 2019). This religion emphasized the faith-based divine interaction between the gods and their followers. In addition to Ra and Osiris, the pantheon featured an extensive network of minor gods and goddesses. Hieroglyphics, Egypt’s highly developed writing system, enabled the Egyptians to communicate and record knowledge efficiently.

Persia, which the Ancient Greeks referred to as “the land of the wise,” was a highly developed civilisation in the fourth century BCE, famed for its literature, science, and art (Sykes, 2015; Tucker, 2019). The Great Wall of Susa, one of Persia’s most iconic sites, has withstood millennia of natural elements and human strife, serving as a testament to its people. Zoroastrianism is believed to have been the official religion of the Persian Empire and is regarded as one of the first monotheistic faiths in the world.

Between the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia, the Middle East has been profoundly influenced by religious, cultural, and artistic influences with enduring effects. As a result of the great cultural people, faiths, languages, and works of art found in all parts of the Middle East, the region has become one of the most culturally lively places on earth. Its effect may be traced throughout human history, from politics to medicine, and its significance on the contemporary world’s progress cannot be overstated.

Additionally, the Middle East is well-known for being the area of origin of the three great monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Macron, 2017). These religions have significantly influenced the culture and politics of the rest of the globe. The religion of Islam has exerted a disproportionately large amount of influence in a significant number of nations, both inside the Middle East and outside. It should be noted that as the religions expanded around the world via methods such as conquest and proselytisation, they significantly influenced the political systems, cultural norms, and economic conditions of the regions they reached. The majority of the legal and political systems in the world are based on these three religious teachings or principles.

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3.0??????Economic Importance of The Middle East

The Middle East is a geopolitically and economically significant area. It is renowned for its massive oil, gas, and mineral riches, strategic position, and rich cultural and religious history (Kamrava, 2004). While the Middle East has long been a centre of geopolitical and military action, its economic significance has grown recently (Zulfqar, 2018).

First, the Middle East has some of the world’s greatest oil and gas reserves. This has contributed to the region’s enormous influence in the global energy industry (Zulfqar, 2018). According to estimates, approximately 30% of the world’s crude oil and 20% of its natural gas are produced in the Middle East (Zulfqar, 2018). Several nations, like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, dedicate a substantial amount of their GDP to protecting and managing their oil and gas reserves.

Additionally, the region’s commercial significance has grown. For instance, the Suez Canal is one of the most important shipping routes in the world, and it is being utilised to move oil and other goods from Africa, Asia, and Europe. In addition, the area is home to several of the world’s most prominent airports, such as Dubai International Airport and Kuwait International Airport, which serve as major transit hubs for global passenger and freight traffic.

In addition, the Middle East has long been recognised as a location with an abundance of fertile land and natural resources, such as oil, water, and arable land (Kamrava, 2004; Zulfqar, 2018). This has been the case for a very long time. As a result, it has become a strategically crucial and economically valuable region, attracting the interest of other countries and fostering competition. In the 20th century, when European imperial powers dominated most of the area and shortly after independence came a time of tremendous war and turmoil, the region served as a key battlefield for states and empires (Schayegh, 2017). This was particularly true throughout the 20th century when European colonial powers dominated the area.

Additionally, the Middle East has emerged as a critical commercial hub (Koch & Stivachtis, 2018). This is due to the rise of countries such as Dubai and Qatar as destinations for international investment, creative industries’ growth, and technological start-up’ creation. Several Middle Eastern nations are on the verge of becoming some of the world’s most prominent financial hubs.

Ultimately, the Middle East has become a significant regional leader in terms of policy and development (Koch & Stivachtis, 2018). Several nations in the area have led efforts to expand access to education, healthcare, and social services. In addition, governments in the area have sought to diversify their economies to lessen their dependency on oil and gas resources.

Therefore, the Middle East is an area of enormous geographic, geopolitical, and economic significance. It has significant oil and gas deposits, is well-connected to the world economy through trade and transit ties, has become a central commercial hub, and is spending considerably on development efforts. As the area is projected to continue its economic expansion, it will continue to be a vital element of the global economy (Zulfqar, 2018).

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4.0??????Key Roles in Major World Events

The Middle East has long been a source of strife and is often the site of the most significant global events (Koch & Stivachtis, 2018). The Middle East has played a crucial role in influencing global politics, economies, and civilisations throughout history. From the ancient empires of Assyria and Egypt to the Israeli-Arab wars, the area has played an essential role in the development of contemporary civilisation and global institutions (Schayegh, 2017).

The Middle East is distinguished by its abundant natural resources, especially oil and natural gas (Koch & Stivachtis, 2018). The abundant availability of these basic minerals has allowed the area to have an enormous economic influence on a worldwide scale. From the 1973 OPEC oil embargo to the United States’ more recent sanctions, the Middle East’s resources have been a vital component of energy politics for decades (Koch & Stivachtis, 2018). As a key exporter, the region’s abundant natural resources have cleared the way for international investments and joint ventures as governments, businesses, and other nations compete for contracts in the Middle East.

Additionally, the Middle East has been a hotspot of religious and sectarian violence. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the three primary faiths practised in the area, and their historically problematic relationship has directly influenced the global conception of religion and the ideologies connected with it (Tucker, 2019). The formation of Israel by the United Nations in the middle of the 20th century, for instance, sparked a century-long cycle of war between Israel and surrounding Arab governments such as Jordan and Syria. This has prompted a broader discussion on the influence of faiths on world wars.

In addition to being a significant source of natural and religious strife, the Middle East has been a pillar of international diplomacy and business participation. The United Nations and the Arab League have used the area to discuss global issues and promote international cooperation (Haugbolle, 2019). In the same vein, the area has been home to some of the world’s most accomplished diplomats, such as Yasser Arafat and Muhammad Ali Jinnah of Pakistan.

Overall, the Middle East has a profound and far-reaching impact on global society. The Middle East has been a vital part of significant international events for millennia, and its significance to present and future generations of global citizens cannot be overstated.

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5.0??????Conclusion

As noted above, the Middle East has served as a critical centre for commercial activity inside and outside the area for a considerable amount of time. Due to its advantageous position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia, it has served as a lucrative source of commodities and products and as a meeting place between civilisations, a crossroads of cultures, and a source of inspiration.

Therefore, it can be said that the Middle East has played an extremely significant role throughout the course of global history. Its long and turbulent history, strategic resources, and the location at the core of the world’s major religions and civilisations all combine to make it an important area whose impact can be felt in all four corners of the earth.

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REFERENCES

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Haugbolle, S. (2019). Entanglement, Global History, and the Arab Left. International Journal of Middle East Studies, 51(2), 301–304. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020743819000060

Kamrava, M. (2004). Structural Impediments to Economic Globalization in the Middle East. Middle East Policy, 11(4), 96–112. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1061-1924.2004.00180.x

Koch, B., & Stivachtis, Y. A. (Eds.). (2018). Regional Security in the Middle East: Sectors, Variables and Issues. E-International Relations.

Macron, M. H. (2017). Arab Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland. MSL Academic Endeavors.

Schayegh, C. (2017). The Middle East and the Making of the Modern World. Harvard University Press.

Sykes, P. M. (2015). History Of Persia. Routledge.

Tucker, E. (2019). The Middle East in Modern World History. Routledge.

van Nieuwkerk, K. (2021). Introduction: “Religious Transformation in the Middle East: Spirituality, Religious Doubt, and Non-Religion in the Middle East.” Religions, 12(6), 426. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12060426

Zulfqar, S. (2018). Competing Interests of Major Powers in the Middle East: The Case Study of Syria and Its Implications for Regional Stability. PERCEPTIONS, XXIII(1), 121–148. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/815459