The Complex Geopolitical Identity Of Pakistan And Afghanistan: Beyond The Middle East Label

The Middle East is a region that spans parts of Western Asia and North Africa. It is home to several countries that are culturally, historically, and religiously significant. While Afghanistan is not part of the Middle East, it is bordered by a Middle Eastern state (Iran) and is geographically situated at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. The country's location along the Silk Road has historically linked it to various Middle Eastern cultures.

On the other hand, Pakistan is also not considered part of the Middle East, despite sharing a similar cultural heritage and historic importance with the region.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are not part of the Middle East but are geographically close to it

Afghanistan and Pakistan are not part of the Middle East, but they are geographically close to it. The Middle East spans parts of Western Asia and North Africa and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Red Sea to the south, the Caspian Sea to the east, and the Arabian Peninsula to the south. Afghanistan and Pakistan are located in Central and South Asia, respectively, and share borders with several Middle Eastern countries.

Historically, the term "Middle East" has had different definitions. Before World War I, Afghanistan was considered part of the Middle East, which referred to Turkmenistan, Central Asia, Afghanistan, the Caucasus, and Iran. The phrase "Near East" was used to refer to the Ottoman Empire and the Balkans. However, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the phrase "Near East" fell out of use, and the re-emerging Islamic nations were referred to as the Middle East. The British-India Office coined the term "Middle East" in the 1850s, and it became more common after American naval strategist Alfred Mahan used it to describe the region linking India and Arabia.

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central and South Asia, bordering Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east and south, China to the northeast, and Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to the north. It is situated at the crossroads of Central and South Asia and has a diverse landscape, including mountains, plains, and deserts. Pakistan is also a landlocked country in South Asia, bordering India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan have a rich history and are known for their cultural and religious significance.

While Afghanistan and Pakistan are not part of the Middle East, they share cultural and historical ties with the region. The location of Afghanistan along the Silk Road linked it to various Middle Eastern cultures. Additionally, the United States grouped Afghanistan with other Muslim and Arab states as the Greater Middle East in the 2000s. Pakistan also has close ties with the Middle East, especially with countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are part of South and Central Asia

Afghanistan and Pakistan are not part of the Middle East. They are part of South and Central Asia.

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central and South Asia, located at the crossroads of the two regions. It is bordered by Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the northeast. Afghanistan's location along the Silk Road has linked it to various Middle Eastern cultures throughout history.

Pakistan is also a landlocked country in South Asia. It shares a 1,510-mile border with Afghanistan, which was established in 1893 through an agreement between the British Government of India and the Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman Khan. Pakistan is bordered by India to the east, Iran to the southwest, Afghanistan to the northwest, and China to the north.

The Middle East is a region that spans parts of Western Asia and North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Red Sea to the south, the Caspian Sea to the east, and the Arabian Peninsula to the south. While Afghanistan and Pakistan share a similar cultural heritage and historical importance to Middle Eastern countries, they are categorized as part of South and Central Asia.

The Middle East spans parts of Western Asia and North Africa

The Middle East is a geopolitical region that spans parts of Western Asia and North Africa. The term "Middle East" was coined by the British-India Office in the 1850s and became more common after American naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan used it to refer to the area between Arabia and India. Mahan described the Middle East as the region bordering the Arabian Gulf. The region includes the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. Most Middle Eastern countries are part of the Arab world.

The term "Middle East" has led to some confusion over its changing definitions and has been seen as too Eurocentric. The description "Middle" has also led to some confusion over changing definitions. Before the First World War, "Near East" was used in English to refer to the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire, while "Middle East" referred to the Caucasus, Persia, and Arabian lands, and sometimes Afghanistan, India, and others. In contrast, "Far East" referred to the countries of East Asia, such as China, Japan, and Korea.

The modern boundaries of Afghanistan are located in Central Asia and South Asia. Afghanistan is a landlocked country bordered by Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east and south, China to the northeast, and Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to the north. Afghanistan is not part of the Middle East, but it is bordered by a Middle Eastern state (Iran). Geographically, Afghanistan is situated at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. The United States grouped Afghanistan with all the other Muslim and Arab states in the 2000s as the Greater Middle East.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a geographic region that includes most of the Middle East and North Africa. The term is often used in academia, military planning, disaster relief, media planning, and business writing. The term "Greater Middle East" is a political term coined by the Bush administration in the first decade of the 21st century to denote various countries pertaining to the Muslim world, specifically Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are Muslim-majority countries

Afghanistan's population is estimated to be 43 million as of 2023. The country's official languages are Dari and Pashto, and the CIA estimated in 2009 that 99.7% of the Afghan population was Muslim. Dari is a variety of Persian and functions as the lingua franca in Kabul as well as in much of the northern and northwestern parts of the country. Pashto is the native tongue of the Pashtuns, who are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, comprising 42% of the country's population.

Pakistan is also a landlocked country in South Asia. It shares a 1510-mile border with Afghanistan and is bordered by India to the east, Iran to the southwest, and China to the northeast. Pakistan is a multilingual country, with Urdu as its national language. The CIA World Factbook estimates that 96.4% of Pakistan's population is Muslim.

Both countries have sizable Shia minorities. In Afghanistan, the Shia community makes up 19% of the population, while in Pakistan, it accounts for 20%.

The Middle East is known for its diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and coasts

One of the most famous deserts in the region is the Rub' al Khali Desert, also known as the Empty Quarter. Located near the border of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, this vast expanse of sand is a popular destination for adventure seekers. The Dubai desert, with its silhouette of the city's skyline at sunset, is another iconic desert landscape in the region. For those seeking a more remote experience, the Wahiba Sands in Oman offer a rugged and less-travelled terrain.

The Middle East is also home to majestic mountains, such as the Jebel Shams in Oman, which rises to 3,000 meters and offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Grand Canyon, Wadi Ghul. The Kurdistan region in Iraq is another mountainous area, with its spectacular Hamilton Road carving through valleys and ravines, surrounded by waterfalls and snow-capped peaks.

In addition to its deserts and mountains, the Middle East boasts a diverse coastline. The Gulf of Oman, with its rocky coastal landscape and hidden beaches, is a stark contrast to the bustling cityscape of Dubai. The Dead Sea, located between Israel and Jordan, is famous for its salt lake with healing properties. Meanwhile, the Red Sea, with its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, attracts tourists from all over the world.

The diverse landscapes of the Middle East provide a wealth of opportunities for travellers seeking to explore ancient ruins, experience vibrant cultures, or simply admire the natural beauty of the region. From the majestic mountains to the vast deserts and stunning coastlines, the Middle East truly offers something for everyone.

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