Answer:
In the 19th century, the Middle East was under the control of various empires, such as the Ottoman Empire, and had limited interactions with the Western powers. European countries, particularly the British and the French, were mainly interested in the region for economic reasons, specifically for access to resources such as oil. They established trade relations and had some political influence, but direct control and colonization was limited.
In contrast, the relationship between the Middle East and the West in modern times is much more complex and tense. The 20th century saw the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Western-backed nation-states in the region. The discovery of oil in the region led to increased Western involvement and economic dependence on Middle Eastern oil. The Cold War also led to increased Western involvement in the region as the US and Soviet Union competed for influence.