Firsty, "crucial" doesn't mean "a cricible"
I'm saying that because all those hubs, points, etc. sound awkward (to me) for they refer to, and even cause a graphic image in one's mind (at least in mine) of a focus, a point, a small and rigidly circumscribed spot. And here we're talking about a wast territory. So, yes, I don't agree much with "nodo" either:)

Secondly, I dare disagree with the use of "della" in the original: then, using just one small stroke of Occam's razor, one can say "la regione è divenuta uno strategico nodo politico europeo", which is rather absurd.
I think "per la" (for the) would've been much better.
I also think that to render all that slightly less sloppy by using just slightly different angle, is well within the translator's discretion.
Hence my suggestion.

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Note added at 4 days (2020-03-04 08:01:58 GMT) Post-grading
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Sorry about the "cricible": "i" and "u" are side by each :). Not only do I continuously miss-type but I fail to notice the typos while re-reading the stuff. Execrable!