BLOG
Water Diplomacy: Most Pressing Matter In West Asia
December 19th, 2017
Via The Iran Project, commentary on the importance of water diplomacy in Asia: Iran’s deputy FM Araghchi stressed the importance of ‘water diplomacy’ in West Asia, calling for a strategic approach toward water shortage in this region. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the Seminar of Environmental Risks and Regional Security in West Asia in […]
Read more »Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Near Reservoir Agreement
December 16th, 2017
Via Eurasianet, a report on Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are nearing definitive agreement over how to share a disputed reservoir near the border in another sign of warming relations between the countries. Kasan-sai reservoir was the focus of tense standoff in 2016 that culminated in state-sanctioned kidnappings and armed confrontations. Lawmakers in Kyrgyzstan on December 13 […]
Read more »Iraq Battles A New Enemy: Water Shortages
December 13th, 2017
Via The Daily Mail, an article on Iraq’s water problems: After years battling Islamic State militants, Iraqi farmers – many of them military volunteers – are now returning to their homes and fields only to find a new threat: a shortage of water. Construction of dams and other water-holding facilities in upstream Turkey and Iran, […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon and Parched Tiger: India Says Chinese Construction Dirtying Water
December 13th, 2017
Via ABCNews, a report on Indian complaints that Chinese upstream activity is disturbing the Brahmaputra river: Officials in India’s northeast are complaining that Chinese construction activity on the upper reaches of one of the largest rivers that flows into India are likely turning the waters downstream turbid and unfit for human consumption. Over the weekend, Sarbananda Sonowal, […]
Read more »‘Blue Gold’ – Turkey’s Key To The ‘Dry Crescent’
December 11th, 2017
Via Global Risk Insights, a report on the impact of Turkey’s efforts to control the headwaters of key water resources in Syria and Iraq: Next year will mark a full century since the Ottoman Empire lost control of the areas now known as Syria and Iraq. Now Turkey is pursuing an increasingly nationalistic and assertive foreign […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: World’s Largest Water Diversion Plan Won’t Quench China’s Thirst
December 11th, 2017
Via Bloomberg, an article on China’s south-to-north diversion project: Autumn rains came too late to save the stunted stalks of Shu Xinguo’s corn crop, withered by a dry July growing season. “We rely on the weather for our living,” said Shu, weary and resigned, his tanned hands hoisting bundles of his remaining crop — green […]
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