BLOG
Reduced Mekong Flow = Increased Regional Concerns
March 31st, 2010
Via The Asia Foundation, a report examining the impact that the Mekong River – the longest in Southeast Asia and at its lowest reported water level in 20 years – is having upon Laos. As the article notes: “…The river runs through six countries – China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam – but the […]
Read more »Better Dead Than Red? Hydro Cooperation In The Middle East
March 22nd, 2010
Via The Global Post, a report on how an impending water crisis is forcing Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority to work together. As the article notes: “…Nothing accelerates the peace process between old foes like the threat of a common enemy. In the case of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority that enemy is […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Drought, Dams, and Border Tensions
March 17th, 2010
Via Science (subscription required), a report that – as drought grips the Lancang-Mekong basin in Asia – tensions are growing over Chinese dams. As the article notes: “…The drought’s effects have spilled across China’s borders, stoking tensions with neighbors and prompting scientific debate. Rice yields in Thailand are expected to take a big hit, and […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: A Scramble For Water Amongst North & South and Farmers & Factories
March 16th, 2010
Courtesy of The Washington Post, an updated look at the status of China’s massive North-South water diversion scheme. As the article notes, the project is hampered by acrimony between competing industrial interests (i.e. industry vs. agricultural), as well as, concerns over costs and ecological impacts, leading to a scramble for water that is pitting downstream […]
Read more »Peak Water In Cyprus Piques Social Tensions
March 13th, 2010
Courtesy of The BBC, an interesting report on the water tensions between Turkish and Greek communities in Cyprus. As the article notes: “…We are in Nicosia, one of Europe’s last divided cities, and the focus of a bitter and bloody feud between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It goes back to 1974, when the island […]
Read more »The Mighty Mekong No Longer?
March 13th, 2010
A pair of articles examining the increased tensions between Thailand and China over Mekong River water. As the first report notes, the Thai government has been quick to blame Chinese dams on the upper stretches of the river, but that may not be fair. “…The Bangkok Post ran this story on 22 February: Ever since […]
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