Nahost

Nahost is the German term for a geopolitical and cultural region in Western Asia, with variable inclusion of parts of North Africa. It roughly corresponds to what in English is called the Middle East. Definitions differ on borders; commonly included are Turkey, Iran, the Arab states of the Gulf (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman), the Levant (Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) and Egypt; some definitions also include Libya or Sudan.

Geography and resources: The region features deserts, mountains, and extensive coastlines along the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. It is the cradle of ancient civilizations and hosts numerous religious and cultural sites. Economically, Nahost contains large oil and natural gas reserves, particularly among Gulf states, and exhibits a wide range of development levels.

Politics and conflicts: Nahost has long been a center of regional and international politics, with conflicts such as the Arab–Israeli conflict, the Syrian and Yemeni civil wars, and rivalries between Iran and Gulf states shaping diplomacy and security. International involvement, mediation efforts, and humanitarian concerns are common features of the regional scene.

Demographics and culture: The population is diverse, with major religious and ethnic groups including Sunnis and Shias, Arabs, Kurds, Persians, Jews, Christians, and Druze. Arabic is widely spoken; Persian, Turkish, and Kurdish are common in respective subregions, with Hebrew used in Israel. The region is a historical and cultural crossroads with rich literary, artistic, and culinary traditions.

Etymology and usage: The term Nahost comes from the German for “Near East” and is used in German-language discourse to denote this geographic area and its political context.