Hydro-crisis in the Middle East: water schemes for a thirsty region

Abstract

In the Middle East, water is ecoming a far more valuable natural resource than oil. Access to water has domestic and regional economic, political, and security implications for the Middle East. Water is likely to be the issue that sparks the next conflict in the Middle East. This thesis describes the impact of rapid population growth and urbanization, industrialization and pollution, and 'self-sufficiency' agricultural policies on the water resources of the Middle East. Current capacities of water renewal and water production are not likely to be capable of supporting the future growth of the Middle East without intense planning and management. Five regions of the Middle East are currently feeling the effects of water scarcity: the Arabian Peninsula, the Euphrates-Tigris Basin, the Jordan Basin, the Maghreb, and the Nile Basin. Information is also provided about the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Saudi Arabia. Various schemes to obtain additional water resources are explored including Turkey's proposed 'Peace Pipeline', which could supply water from Turkey to the countries of the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula. 'Virtual Water' also is explored as a source of water for the Middle East.