generate questions: 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:
Where did the use of the term Middle East as a region of international affairs begin? {sep_token} What was Iran known as to the west? {sep_token} When did Thomas Edward Gordon publish "The Problem of the Middle East"? {sep_token} What article did Thomas Edward Gordon publish? {sep_token} The problem of the Middle East was published by who?