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Both Sides Running out of Water: US and Mexico’s Deal Amid Historic Drought
March 5th, 2026
Via Texas Public Radio, a report on how the U.S. and Mexico’s recent water deal: Mexico has committed to delivering 431.7 million cubic meters of water a year to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty — a deal announced last week after sustained pressure from Washington on Mexico who has often delivered significantly as required by […]
Read more »How a California Desalination Plant Could Ease Water Shortages on the Colorado River
March 5th, 2026
Via the Los Angeles Times, a look at how a California desalination plant could ease water shortages on the Colorado River: With desert cities like Phoenix and Tucson bracing for their allotments of Colorado River water to be slashed dramatically, San Diego County’s water agency could for the first time sell some of its water […]
Read more »Study: Central Asia’s Water Tower to Lose One-third of Glacier Mass by 2040
March 4th, 2026
Courtesy of The Diplomat, reports on a new study that suggests Central Asia’s water tower will lose 1/3 of its glacier mass by 2040: The Tian Shan mountains, also known as the water tower of Central Asia, are a crucial source of water for regional agriculture, industries, and millions of people across the Central Asian […]
Read more »Drought May Test Central Asia’s New Cooperative Approach
March 4th, 2026
Via The Diplomat, a look at whether the new ties that bind Central Asian countries strong enough to weather drought? Every year, rain and snow that falls in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan provides water for millions within their borders. Winter snow in the mountains melts in spring to fill hydropower reservoirs. Summer rain waters crops. But […]
Read more »Syria’s Environmental Woes Fueled Its Long Conflict. Left Unaddressed, They Will Do So Again.
February 28th, 2026
Via New Security Beat, a look at Syria’s environmental woes: I recently returned to Syria for my first peacetime visit. Unsurprisingly, the country is an awful mess. The destruction is somehow slightly more conspicuous than it seemed through a number of trips between 2014 and 2022. People’s exhaustion is palpable, and the economic situation is […]
Read more »Breaking Down Russia’s War on Ukraine’s Water
February 24th, 2026
For four years, Russia has relentlessly attacked not only Ukraine’s territory and troops, but also its vital water systems and resources—from missile strikes on dams to the shelling of water treatment plants and pumping stations. CSIS’s David Michel explains how Russia has weaponized water as a tool of war and the lasting impacts these attacks […]
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