Evolution of Transboundary Politics in the Euphrates-Tigris River System: New Perspectives and Political Challenges
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Brill Academic Publishers
Abstract
Transboundary water politics in the Euphrates-Tigris river system have evolved with competitive power dynamics and cooperative institutional development. We analyze the evolution of transboundary water relations over four consecutive periods. The first period coincided with nation building in the region, when the riparian states focused on their domestic need for socioeconomic development rather than the formulation of external water policies. The second period saw the advent of competitive transboundary water politics shaped by the initiation of uncoordinated, large-scale water development projects. The third period was the most complex, given the link between transboundary water issues and nonriparian security issues. In the fourth period, the role of water bureaucracies in the reorientation of water policies from hostile to cooperative became significant. Even in the midst of the very recent political crisis between Turkey and Syria, partial institutionalization of water cooperation and growing networks of water dialogue at both the governmental and non-governmental levels should continue to serve as open channels for easing the tensions.
Description
Kibaroglu, Aysegul/0000-0002-9648-5975; Kibaroglu, Aysegul/0000-0002-9648-5975
Keywords
transboundary water politics, Euphrates-Tigris rivers, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, conflict, cooperation, water bureaucracies
Turkish CoHE Thesis Center URL
Citation
26
WoS Q
Q4
Scopus Q
Q3
Source
Volume
19
Issue
2
Start Page
279
End Page
305