Water Security in the Middle East

Essays in Scientific and Social Cooperation

Edited by Jean Axelrad Cahan

Publication date:

02 January 2017

Publisher

Anthem Press

Dimensions:

229x153mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781783085668

Water Security in the Middle East argues that, while conflicts over transboundary water systems in the Middle East do occur, they tend not to be violent nor are they the primary cause of a war in this region. The contributors in this collection of essays place water disputes in larger political, historical and scientific contexts and discuss how the humanities and social sciences contribute towards this understanding. The authors contend that international sharing of scientific and technological advances can significantly increase access to water and improve water quality. While scientific advances can and should increase adaptability to changing environmental conditions, especially climate change, national institutional reform and the strengthening of joint commissions are vital. The contributors indicate ways in which cooperation can move from simple coordination to sophisticated, adaptive and equitable modes of water management.

List of Illustrations; Acknowledgments; Foreword by Roberto L. Lenton; Introduction. Water Security in the Middle East: A Role for the Social Sciences and Humanities - Jean Axelrad Cahan; Chapter 1. Cooperation Rules: Insights on Water and Conflict from International Relations - Patrice C. McMahon; Chapter 2. Water Security in Transboundary Systems: Cooperation in Intractable Conflicts and the Nile System - Jenny R. Kehl; Chapter 3. Water- Demand Management in the Arab Gulf States: Implications for Political Stability - Hussein A. Amery; Chapter 4. A Watershed- Based Approach to Mitigating Transboundary Wastewater Conflicts between Israel and the Palestinian Authority: The Besor- Hebron- Be’er Sheva Watershed - Clive Lipchin and Tamee Albrecht; Chapter 5. The Evolution of Israeli Water Management: The Elusive Search for Environmental Security - Alon Tal. Chapter 6. Adapting to Climatic Variability along International River Basins in the Middle East - Neda A. Zawahri; Chapter 7. Water and Politics in the Tigris– Euphrates Basin: Hope for Negative Learning? - David P. Forsythe; Chapter 8. The Political and Cultural Dimensions of Water Diplomacy in the Middle East - Lawrence E. Susskind; Notes on Contributors; Index.

“Water Security in the Middle East is a timely and optimistic contribution to the literature, otherwise known to have a pessimistic view on water scarcity and its consequences […] The book provides new, untapped evidence of what may constitute an arsenal of tools for water diplomacy to be employed by researchers and practitioners dealing with water scarcity and security.”
—Ariel Dinar, Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, School of Public Policy, University of California, Riverside, USA