Conflict in the TigrisEuphrates River Basin

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Conflict in the Tigris-Euphrates River Basin
Adam Czekanski 20 September 2005
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Geography
(Perry Castaneda Map Collection, University of
Texas Library System)
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Geography
(Satellite imagery from NASA web site)
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The Riparian Nations
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Turkey(1969)
(Perry Castaneda Map Collection, University of
Texas Library System)
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Turkey(2002)
(Perry Castaneda Map Collection, University of
Texas Library System)
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Syria
(Perry Castaneda Map Collection, University of
Texas Library System)
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Iraq
(Perry Castaneda Map Collection, University of
Texas Library System)
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Iraq
(Satellite imagery from NASA web site)
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Iraq
(Perry Castaneda Map Collection, University of
Texas Library System)
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Iran
(Perry Castaneda Map Collection, University of
Texas Library System)
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The Issues

• Water quantity and quality along the river
• Lack of water storage infrastructure
• Lack of a comprehensive water allocation
  agreement between ALL riparian nations

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Possible Solutions

• Negotiations between all riparian nations to
  develop a comprehensive water sharing plan for
  the basin
• Diplomacy to settle other issues together with
  the current water sharing disparity (i.e. the
  issue of Kurdish rebels)

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Possible Solutions

• Improvement of infrastructure to capture heavy
  water flows from Turkey during winter months

Lake Habbaniyah, Iraq
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Possible Solutions

• Improvement of canal systems to divert surplus
  waters from the Tigris to the Euphrates (in Iraq)

Tharthar Canal, Iraq (linking Lake Tharthar with
the Euphrates)
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Possible Solutions

• Oil for water

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Questions(if they havent already been answered
by now)

• What affect will US presence and interests in
  Iraq have on the dynamics of hydropolitics of the
  Tigris Euphrates River Basin?
• Considering their extensive water resources
  outside of the Tigris-Euphrates waters, does
  Turkey have the right to unilaterally alter the
  water flows of both rivers?
• Can Iraq solve its own water shortage issues with
  existing resources and infrastructure?
• What role will the Kurdish populations residing
  in all three countries have on the future sharing
  of waters?

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The End