Political-ideological constraints on intra-basin cooperation on transboundary waters

Abstract

This article offers a different perspective to the well known problems of water scarcity in the Middle East. It is argued that there are strong linkages between prevailing national ideologies and intra-regional water disputes. Domestic political necessities and commitments often limit foreign policy choices open to countries with regard to the settlement of water disputes. This tends to exacerbate existing conflict. Reasons given include ideologically intertwined issues related to national security, including food security and national independence in conjunction with a deep socio-cultural commitment to a prospering agricultural sector. Any proposed solution to Middle East water disputes needs to take ideological-political factors into account in addition to the physical, social, cultural and economic aspects.