A Confluence of Crises: On Water, Climate, and Security in the Middle East and North Africa
Publisher: Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute
Author(s): Johan Schaar
Date: 2019
Topics: Climate Change, Disasters, Economic Recovery, Governance, Land, Peace and Security Operations, Renewable Resources
Countries: Algeria, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Yemen
The Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) faces simultaneous crises of security, water scarcity and climate change. They are interlinked— the water crisis is exacerbated by climate change and may fuel conflict, while insecurity is an obstacle to dealing with other pressing issues. Together, the three constitute a confluence of crises that need to be addressed together.
Authoritarian and militarized governments in MENA countries repress public discourse and action related to water and climate crises, viewing critics as threats to national security. But the elite’s own economic interests and role in the political economy make them vulnerable to the new risks and threats.
The water and climate crises are mostly transboundary and require states to act together. But by prioritizing narrow security interests, states accord weak mandates to regional institutions, preventing agreements on shared challenges. A regional security framework is needed, encompassing water, climate and the current conflicts.