Iran did not fall. Assad could not help himself. And Moscow and Washington are at an impasse. The Middle East is one of the most important regions in world politics. Trade routes between Europe, Asia and Africa intersected here, and later, after the discovery of large oil and gas deposits, the region gained special importance for the world economy. Controlling it meant more than just access to raw materials - it enabled influence on maritime trade, the energy security of competitors and the movement of naval forces between key waters. European colonial powers, fighting the Ottoman Empire, gradually bit off parts of its territories, and established various forms of control over them. The era of colonialism became a difficult test for the countries of the region. And for metropolises it is an indicator of superpower status. The British Empire had special importance for the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean, as well as the oil resources of the Persian Gulf countries. These directions provided communication with India and supported London's naval power. It is no coincidence that British involvement in the oil industry and control of the Suez Canal were seen as interrelated elements of global strategy. Continue reading here.