Contested waters of the Middle East

Abstract

The Middle East which is one of the most unstable regions In the world has encountered a new reason for conflict in recent years: Water. The accelerating population, expanding agriculture, in d ustrializa tion, and high er Ii ving stand ard s have led to the competition over the inadequate water resources. The existing political hostility and insufficient water to satisfy human needs among all the nations of the Middle East heightens tensions between haves and have-nots. In addition, the international law is yet to be developed in this respect. The absence of binding international law puts strains on reaching the solution to the problem. There are three major international flvers In the Middle East which have caused water allocation difficulties. These are the Jordan, the Nile and the Tigris-Euphrates. All of them are characterised by having parts of their watersheds in different countries. The countries in that regIon are bound by common flvers and aquifers. This common usage produces a water competition between upstream-downstream states. In addition, there are inadequate water resources. The water problem of the Middle East increased considerably after Turkey's initiation of the Atatiirk Dam on the Euphrates. The conflictual aspects of the water problem and the possible water war scenarios were emphasized in many western publications. As different causes of conflict and instability are related to each other, to reach a comprehensive and permanent solution at the regional base do not appear to be easy. Approaches to politics and diplomacy are dominated by a mentality of zero-sum games. At the moment, first of all Palestinian and Jordan, then the Arab countries have begun to negotiate with Israel In the maIn conflicting Issues such as territory. In connection with the created common ground, the optimal utilization of water resources and the increase of existing resource are the concrete steps towards the resolution of the problem.