Context: The use of the term Middle East as a region of international affairs apparently began in British and American diplomatic circles quite independently of each other over concern for the security of the same country: Iran, then known to the west as Persia. In 1900 Thomas Edward Gordon published an article, The Problem of the Middle East, which began:

Question: Where did the use of the term Middle East as a region of international affairs begin?
Answer: in British and American diplomatic circles

Question: What was Iran known as to the west?
Answer: Persia

Question: When did Thomas Edward Gordon publish "The Problem of the Middle East"?
Answer: 1900

Question: What article did Thomas Edward Gordon publish?
Answer: The Problem of the Middle East

Question: The problem of the Middle East was published by who?
Answer: Thomas Edward Gordon