BLOG

Archive for the ‘Lakes, Rivers, and Water Systems’ Category

The Thirsty Dragon: Mining In Tibet Threatens Asia’s Rivers

Via the Third Pole, a look at the impact of mining in Tibet: In his new book, Spoiling Tibet: China and Resource Nationalism on the Roof of the World, Gabriel Lafitte analyses the extent and scale of China’s mineral exploitation in Tibet. Here he talks to The Third Pole about the global environmental significance of […]

Read more »



Messing Up the Mekong: Laos Plans a Second Huge Dam

Via Time, an article on Laos’ plan for a second Mekong dam which is likely to have significant impacts on the region’s fishing, farming, and wildlife: The World Widlife Fund (WWF) has called for an emergency meeting with the Mekong River Commission (MRC) after Laos announced that it will go ahead with its second hydroelectric […]

Read more »



Super Dam: Egyptian Concern for Nile Water Security Spurs Cooperation Over Ethiopia’s New Dam

Via Circle of Blue, an interesting look at the regional rivalry arising around the Nile river: The Blue Nile Falls are located near the city of Bahar Dar, Ethiopia, and are fed by water from Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. One of Ethiopia’s foremost tourist attractions, the Blue Nile Falls demonstrates Ethiopia’s […]

Read more »



Damming The Mekong: Fish-Friendly?

Via The Economist, a look at the controversy over the Xayaburi dam: ALONG the banks of the Mekong in Laos, the forest has been stripped and the mountainside gouged out. Construction of the Xayaburi dam, the first on the lower Mekong, is in full swing. The dam, which will cost $3.5 billion, is being built […]

Read more »



Nile Water Dispute Stymies Egypt Reset with African Union

Via Al-Monitor, a look at the tension over the Nile River: Egypt is still facing multiple hurdles in managing its diplomatic relations and national security interests with other African nations, particularly those of the Nile basin. This is despite the new Egyptian political administration showing capacity to bolster relations with countries of the African continent. […]

Read more »



Water Politics On The Nile

Via the Orange County Register, commentary on the Nile water rift: Egypt’s sense of nationhood is tied up in control of the Nile. So is energy self sufficiency for Ethiopia. The clash between these two realities can have deadly consequences. America will be tempted to intervene – on the wrong side. The issue is a […]

Read more »


© 2026 Water Politics LLC .  'Water Politics', 'Water. Politics. Life', and 'Defining the Geopolitics of a Thirsty World' are service marks of Water Politics LLC.