Narrative and Agency: Beyond the ‘Invention’ of the Middle East

Mehdi Beyad 
Student, School of Oriental and African Studies, 
University of London 

“The Middle East,” as a region and as a concept, is a relatively modern invention, according to the presenter. The first known use of the term to describe that large, multi-national region of the world is attributed to a U.S. Naval Officer in an article published in 1902. Mr. Beyad asserts that the term has its roots in the security concerns of the United States and England. The delineation of which countries are considered as part of The Middle East have changed over time – some countries have been included in the definition, then excluded, and then included again. Mr. Beyard delves into some of the reasons this has happened. 

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Recorded: May 1, 2014