Water-based regional security complexes in the Middle East and North Africa:
the Jordan River, the Tigris–Euphrates river system, the Nile
– what role, if any?
Erzsébet N. Rózsa
Scientia et Securitas – Volume 3, Issue 4, Pages: 333–342
Abstract
Water and rivers have played an essential role in the existence and development of mankind ever since the most ancient times. The first great civilizations emerged along the great rivers: along the Jordan, the Tigris–Euphrates andthe Nile in the Middle and East North Africa (and elsewhere, such as along the Ganges-Brahmaputra system). Whilenowadays this very same region is exposed to probably the most severe water shortage and even scarcity, decliningwater resources are expected to cause major issues in the region due to the population increase and the effects ofclimate change. This may soon result in water related local or regional conflicts if not wars. The paper examines whatrole water plays in the rationale of regional security (sub-)complexes of the Middle East and North Africa, respectively.
Keywords:water, river, catchment, conflict potential, Middle East and North Africa, regional security complex, Jordan, Nile, Tigris–Euphrates
