Definition: The "Military Dependent Middle East" is a reference to the region that spans Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, where military operations are conducted in addition to daily life. The phrase "military dependent middl' eEast" refers to the fact that many people in this area lack basic necessities such as food, medicine, and clean water due to ongoing military operations. The term was coined by political scientist Stephen Walt in response to a question about the region in a 2013 interview with Time magazine.