Water as a factor in international relations in the Middle East : the Nile and Jordan River basin

Abstract

The severe water scarcity in the Middle East has often been used to indicate that water is an important factor in International Relations, especially suggesting the scenario that disputes over water supplies will inevitably lead to interstate war. Time and again, the reasonable distribution of water between upstream and downstream states has been fouled by a hegemonic power whose superior military, economic and political might overrides any possible action by the other countries in a river basin.