How important is it to consider the history of Northern Africa, the Middle East, or even the world as a whole when thinking about the history of Europe from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period?

How important is it to consider the history of Northern Africa, the Middle East, or even the world as a whole when thinking about the history of Europe from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period? Is it possible to teach or discuss European history without taking into account developments in the rest of the world? Offer at least three examples of why not, or if you feel the opposite, why is it possible?

For this question, please try to offer examples that span the period from the Late Middle Ages to the Early Modern period.