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The water crisis and the conflict in the Middle East

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Abstract

The present study aims to identify the relationship between the water crisis and the conflict over it in the Middle East. Furthermore, this study attempts to determine the distinctive features of the conflict over water, including the motives for this conflict and the reasons for the water crisis. We analyze the problems affecting Middle East world, and the challenges relating to water. Because water is scarce in Middle East, the competition for this limited resource may become a matter of national security. Moreover, water is a fundamental resource, integral to all economic, social, and environmental activities, including nutrition, energy, industrial development, transportation, and human health. Yet, water resources are distributed unevenly. The Middle East is extremely water-short, and therefore Middle East countries need to consider this issue a matter of life or death and a primary aspect of national as well as international security. This article outlines the links between water and conflict in the Middle East. It also makes a number of suggestions and recommendations for leaders and policy-makers regarding ways to reduce the risk of such conflicts and bring an end to or at least mitigate the water crisis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Political Science at Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

    Mohammed T. Bani Salameh

  2. American University in the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

    Mohammed T. Bani Salameh

  3. INWRDAM Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management, Hydrogeology at the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

    Marwan Alraggad

  4. Environment and Water Chemistry at the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Al-Albayt University, Al-Mafraq, Jordan

    Sura T. Harahsheh

Authors
  1. Mohammed T. Bani Salameh
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  2. Marwan Alraggad
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  3. Sura T. Harahsheh
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Correspondence to Mohammed T. Bani Salameh.

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Salameh, M.T.B., Alraggad, M. & Harahsheh, S.T. The water crisis and the conflict in the Middle East. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 7, 69 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-021-00549-1

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