The Jordan basin water resources: a source for cooperation or confrontation?

Abstract

In the Middle East, water is at the centre of both physical and spiritual life. However, water is scarce and hence of conflict between the states involved. the scarcity problem is worsening over time with an increasing population and an increasing welfare level, both of which increase the demand for water. Problems are increasingly complicated with some of the main rivers in the area traversing state boundaries. This essay will focus on the Jordan River basin, a water source for Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank. It deals with water as a scare natural resource, as well as the differing conflict settings between the riparian states. Its aim is not to solve the problem or to go into great detail, but to get a basic idea of how international water law can be used to approach the problem through water diplomacy and negotiation as well as water interdependence among the riparian states. additionally, the final section of the thesis applies the functionalist theory of integration, and how cooperation in one sector may possibly lead to cooperation in other fields and lead in one way or another to a lasting peace.