Thursday, September 3, 2009

How The Middle East's Water Crisis Can Overshadow Every Other Crisis In The Region

The Mosul dam on the Tigris River in Iraq. Photo AFP

Turkey, Iraq And Syria In Water Crisis Summit -- CNN

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- Turkish, Iraqi and Syrian ministers met in Ankara on Thursday to discuss water shortages in the major Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which run through all three countries.

The meeting comes amid a diplomatic spat over Iraqi accusations that Syria is harboring terrorists.

The Tigris River has plunged to record low levels, Iraqi farmers told CNN. Iraq is suffering a drought that its officials are calling a "catastrophe."

Read more ....

More News On This Water Crisis

Turkey to give Iraq, Syria more water from Tigris -- AP
Drought Withers Iraqi Farms, Food Supplies -- NPR
Turkey, Syria, Iraq discuss water resource of Euphrates, Tigris rivers -- China View
Turkey reneging on pledge to boost water supplies-Iraq -- Reuters
Turkey 'unable' to give more water to Iraq, Syria -- Syria

My Comment: Wars have been started for less. This is a long term problem that can only get worse as the Iraqi economy expands and its population grows. There are no easy solutions to this problem .... a problem that is primarily due to the construction of dams in Turkey and its own insatiable desire and need for water.

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