Hydropolitics in the Tigris-Euphrates Valley : a case study of the water policies of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq

The Tigris-Euphrates Valley spans the borders of three countries. Each country is undergoing social changes that result in the increased demand for this valley's water. Unfortunately, political hostilities among these countries have prevented coordinated development policies and have created a problem whereby one country's utilization of the resources means that another country's goals are jeopardized. This case study analyzes these social changes and political hostilities, and identifies their affects on international relations when one country deprives its riparian neighbor(s) of water. As these countries continue to construct dams on their portions of the river beds, the commodity of water will continue to be coveted. Until now, politics have prevented these riparian countries from coordinating their utilization of a scarce product. This case study suggests that these countries must overcome their political hostilities or else they will not be able to build a foundation for a cooperative relationship.