ASSESSING THE HYDRO POLITICS OF THE LEVANT: THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCARCITY THEORY AND NASCENT WATER CONFLICT S (2010-2020)
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Date
2023-05-18
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DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Abstract
This research report aims to analyze the current water shortage on the political conflicts of Jordan River Basin’s riparian states in the Levant. The regional sub-complex, which is, the Levant has been the epicenter of many protracted civil wars, and sectarian proxy wars, and the presence of Jordan River Basin and its exponentially growing water scarcity has managed to be a key determining factor in worsening the disputes of the region. It intends to explore the impact of the water disputes motivated by scarcity on the worsening of the political conflicts which had shaped the regional political landscape of the Levant in the time frame of 2010 to 2020. Since, the Levant has the major river basin known as the Jordan River Basin, so the inter-state relations among the riparian states of the basin have notably been shaped by the shortage of water scarcity throwing the ripple effect in the entire regional sub-complex i.e. Levant. The aim is achieved by analyzing the political rivalries of the riparian states of Jordan and the non-riparian states of the Levant. it further focuses on the hydro-political relations among the trans boundary states amid the life-threatening water scarcity. Moreover, the thesis aims to explore the impact of water shortage on the trans boundary relations of the riparian sates of the Jordan River basin. Additionally, the thesis looks forward to analyses the consequences of the water shortage on the prevailing conflicts. The methodology adopted in pursuance of the aims of the thesis is based on qualitative research supported by several primary research sources. The methods adopted has sufficed to reach the result that the water-related problems need collective negotiations and table talks with the proper international water law standard’s implementation specially curated in Blue Peace Movement in Middle East. Conclusively, the contemporary political and hydro-political disputes of the Jordan River Basin and the Levant have turned into protracted conflicts partly due to lack of negotiations or collective efforts, some negligence regarding the established International Water Laws and role of the non-state actors and the variety of cultural and religious differences. These factors have contributed to justify that the water shortage does escalate the potential conflict into an unfortunate reality.