Context: The threat that caused Gordon, diplomat and military officer, to publish the article was resumption of work on a railway from Russia to the Persian Gulf. Gordon, a published author, had not used the term previously, but he was to use it from then on.

Question: What threat caused Gordon to publish his article?
Answer: resumption of work on a railway

Question: Who was a diplomat and military officer?
Answer: Gordon

Question: Who had not used the term middle east previously in publications?
Answer: Gordon