Why did Allah Almighty specifically choose the Middle East for sending prophets, to the exclusion of other regions of the world? And why did Allah mention Abu Lahab by name in the Qur’an, but not mention the names of the Companions?

Firstly, messengers were sent to invite nations, and the call of Islam reached the furthest ends of the earth, whereas previous messages were specific, and every nation received aWarner. Whoever did not receive a messenger is considered among the people of the fatrah (a period without prophets) and will be tested on the Day of Judgment.

Secondly, the names of the surahs (chapters) are partly divinely ordained (tawqifi) and partly based on the ijtihad (independent reasoning) of the Companions. The Surah of Abu Lahab was named after him because all its verses speak about him and his wife. A believer should not ask why a surah was revealed about Abu Lahab and not about the Companions, for Allah Almighty "is not questioned concerning what He does, but they will be questioned" (Quran 21:23). The Quran has indeed mentioned the Companions and praised them.