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The Aral Sea
April 27th, 2011
Courtesy of Foreign Policy, an updated look at the tragedy of the Aral Sea: Aral Sea Satellite Outline in 2009, Showing the Original Shoreline of 1960. Courtesy of NASA “…The Aral Sea, shared by Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south, is a sad story of one of the most devastating ecological disasters […]
Read more »Central Asian Water Politics…with Energy & Security Implications
November 2nd, 2010
Courtesy of STRATFOR (subscription required), a detailed look at the water politics of Central Asia, namely Tajikistan’s request for Russian support of a hydroelectric power plant that Uzbekistan opposes. As the article notes: “…sources in Central Asia reported Nov. 1 that Russia is in talks with Tajik authorities about having an open contract for Russia’s […]
Read more »Burdened by Soviet Legacy, Nations Spar Over Water Rights
February 26th, 2010
Courtesy of Science, an interesting look at the continued water tensions in Central Asia’s Pamir Mountains, long known as ‘The Roof of the World’. As the article notes: “…As scientists worry about the prospect of a catastrophic flood from Lake Sarez in the Pamir Mountains which would unleash a wall of water from the 56-kilometer […]
Read more »Tajikistan’s Shortages May Exacerbate Central Asian Water Tensions
February 19th, 2010
Courtesy of The Guardian, details of a recent Oxfam report on Tajikistan’s looming water shortages due to rising temperatures and retreating glaciers which could spark conflict between water-stressed countries in the region. As the article notes: “…It has been occupied by the Russians, the Mongols, the Turks, the Arabs and the Uzbeks, the Chinese, as […]
Read more »Kyrgyzstan’s New Dam Concerns Its Central Asian Neighbors
December 24th, 2009
Via Reuters, a report that Kyrgyzstan has begun to dam a key Central Asian river to build a new hydroelectric power plant, a project criticised by neighbouring nations who fear it will disrupt water supplies. As the article notes: “…Water sharing is a contentious issue in Central Asia, an arid, mainly Muslim region where water-thirsty […]
Read more »Water A Pawn In Central Asian Energy Dispute
December 5th, 2009
Courtesy of EurasiaNet, an interesting report on Uzbekistan’s decision to leave the Central Asia energy grid – which cuts off Tajikistan from importing and exporting electricity – has some Tajik officials suggesting that water supplies to Uzbekistan be restricted during the summer irrigation season. As background, the energy and irrigation infrastructure in Central Asia was […]
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