Water is a vital resource for human societies, and a reliable water supply is necessary for a nation’s economic and social development. However, in some regions of the world, water resources are scarce, and access to them can create tensions between neighboring states. In the Middle East, rivers like the Nile, Jordan, and Tigris-Euphrates are essential water sources, but their management can lead to hydropolitical conflicts.
The international relations of water are intricate and involve several stages. A state must assert its right to water resources, which can be done through treaties, agreements, or customary practices. It must obtain recognition of this right from other states or relevant organizations. The state must seek to attain its entitlement to water by implementing its claim and ensuring that its water needs are met. However, these processes are only sometimes successful, and disputes over water resources can escalate into more significant conflicts. Therefore, states need to manage their water resources wisely and cooperate with their neighbors to ensure this precious resource’s sustainable and equitable use.
In this website, we will dive into the complexities of Middle Eastern river hydropolitics. We will discuss the relevant rivers ( the Nile, Jordan, and Tigris-Euphrates), and we will also discuss the context around the hydro-political events of said rivers. We will also discuss the affected civilians, scientists, and activists, how they are affected by this, what the response is, and possible devastating environmental changes.