Final answer:
Historical relationships between Middle Eastern countries and the West were heavily influenced by imperialism, nationalism, and orientalism, leading to political turbulence and conflict, particularly over the control of natural resources such as oil.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differing perceptions between Westerners and Middle Easterners have historically shaped the political relationships between Middle Eastern countries and the West. As European powers grew stronger and Middle Eastern powers like the Ottoman Empire declined, European nationalism and imperialism led to the colonization and control of regions in the Middle East. European ethnocentrism, captured in the concept of orientalism, depicted Middle Eastern societies as irrational and despotic, justifying European dominance as a civilizing mission.
After World War I, the Great War's transformation of the Middle East included the division of the former Ottoman Empire into new nations by Western powers. This often disregarded ethnic and regional realities, creating long-lasting tensions. Later, the nationalization of oil industries by Middle Eastern powers and the subsequent Western-backed political interventions, such as the 1953 CIA coup in Iran, further complicated these relationships. All these events underscored the strategic and economic interests of Western countries in the region, which often led to conflicts with the aspirations of Middle Eastern societies for self-determination.
In summary, the historical landscape of relations between the Middle East and the West is marked by a series of conflicts, negotiations, and power dynamics heavily influenced by religion, trade, and the quest for natural resources, particularly oil.