Final answer:
The strategic importance of the Middle East is mostly related to its substantial oil reserves and geopolitics. Oil-driven economies and conflicts, as well as the strategic positions such as that of Djibouti, highlight the region's global significance. The ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict and historical events like Iraq's invasion of Kuwait illustrate the intense intersection of resources and politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strategic importance of the Middle East is primarily related to its vast oil reserves and its pivotal geopolitical location. The region is known for being the most oil-rich area in the world, which has traditionally driven its economic activities through the export of oil. This has had a significant impact on international relations, causing various armed conflicts over the access and control of these resources.
Countries like Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait are known for their oil wealth, but the region also includes countries with fewer resources, such as Morocco and Yemen. The Middle East's geopolitical landscape is further complicated by the longstanding Israel-Palestinian conflict, which influences relations between Islamic fundamentalists and reformers, as well as Western foreign policy and military involvement in the region, as seen through the US war in Iraq.
The country of Syria and locations such as Djibouti also emphasized the strategic geopolitical significance of the Middle East. Syria's political instability has had regional implications, while Djibouti's location is critical for monitoring terrorism and piracy, as well as ensuring safe passage of oil tankers through essential shipping routes. Indeed, military bases have been established in strategic locations like Djibouti to protect these interests. This has made the Middle East a focus of international concern, particularly after the Cold War, as demonstrated by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait over economic and political disputes related to oil prices and production.