Global Security: Opinions Regarding Water Shortage and Stability in the Middle East
Opinions regarding water shortage and stability in the Middle East are like holding a glass containing only 50% water. For the pessimist, he will opine that the glass is half-empty while the optimist will say it is half-filled. Thus, the two articles have contrasting views where one states that; "Despite depleted water resources and growing water demand pushed by population growth, international relations over water have, if anything, become less tense since 1970 (Allan, 2002)" while the other says: "Competition for the limited water resources
of the area is not new--people have been fighting over, and for, water since ancient times (Heedier, 1995). More importantly, global trade enables Middle Eastern political economies to construct false but widely accepted notions of water security and to reinforce politically comfortable but economically and environmentally very suboptimal water allocation policies (Allan, 2005)". "Thus, two sides of the coin are presented with varying views but since the Middle East has always been a hot bed of conflicts for various reasons - oil, religion, territory, etc. Heedier contends that: "Formal political agreements will have to be negotiated on how to apportion and manage the shared surface and ground water in the region, particularly in the Jordan and Euphrates river basins, and in the occupied territories (Heedier, 1995)" while Allan explains: "Virtual water enables serious water deficit economies to solve their water problems inexpensively, invisibly, and without political cost. As for solutions to this possible future conflict, both sides' opinions should again be heard. If indeed availability of fresh water supply dwindles more and only a few countries in the Middle East control it, conflicts may arise and eventually involve countries outside of the Middle East that will act as brokers or vie for the attention of the moneyed country. In the same manner that global security and foreign relations has affected decisions of the United Nations and foreign affairs departments of countries, water shortage or water crisis can instigate bigger problems because this has something to do not only with "money that oil brings" but rather a commodity that is most important to life and living. - water by no means can also be a contender for another reason to battle.
Common topics in this essay:
Middle East,
United Nations,
Jordan Euphrates,
Middle Eastern,
,
middle east,
heedier 1995,
water shortage,
water resources,
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