Naher Osten

Etymology
lit. 'Near East'.

Proper noun

 * 1)  Middle East region comprising West Asia without the South Caucasus and additionally including all of Egypt (not just the Sinai) and all of Turkey (not just Asian Turkey)
 * 2)  the MENA region

Usage notes

 * As in English, and  are synonymous. The difference is that German prefers the former, English the latter.