The term West Asia is a geographical concept that defines the westernmost subregion of the Asian continent. It is increasingly used by academics and United Nations bodies as a more neutral and geographically accurate alternative to the Eurocentric term "Middle East". The term "Middle East" was a geopolitical concept coined by Western geographers, with its widespread use dating back to the early 20th century, notably after American naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan used it in 1902 to designate the area between Arabia and India. The older term was based on a European perspective, positioning the region as "middle" between the "Near East" (closest to Europe) and the "Far East" (China and Japan).
West Asia is a precise geographical descriptor that identifies the region's location on the Asian continent. Its typical definition, used by most academics and UN bodies, includes Anatolia, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, the Levant, the island of Cyprus, and the South Caucasus. This subregion is separated from Africa by the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt. Key countries generally included are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.
The region is strategically vital due to its location as a bridge between Asia, Europe, and Africa, and its vast natural resources. It holds over 50% of the world's oil deposits, making it a leading global exporter of petroleum and natural gas. For India, West Asia is crucial as a major source of crude oil and liquefied natural gas imports, and it hosts a large Indian expatriate population whose remittances significantly contribute to the Indian economy. Related concepts include the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional organization of Gulf states, and the ongoing geopolitical tensions like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The shift to using West Asia reflects a move toward decolonizing regional naming and adopting a non-Eurocentric framework.