Behind the Headlines, Emerging Security Threats in the Middle East

May 4, 2016 | Anders Jägerskog & Ashok Swain
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The Middle East as a whole has the lowest per capita water availability in the world. At the same time it has also one of the highest rates of population growth. Governments have largely focused on supply management, through desalination for example, while not focusing enough on managing demand. The region is heavily dependent on transboundary rivers and aquifers, and current cooperation over these resources is minimal. That needs to change.

Related to both water and energy, food security is a major challenge as well. Regimes in the region have historically focused on achieving food self-sufficiency at the national level. While increased national agricultural production is important, not least since large parts of the population are directly or indirectly dependent on the sector, it is often not sufficient to provide sustainable food security. Long-term food security in the Middle East – and indeed, long-term stability – requires a comprehensive approach that includes sustainable agricultural productivity, agricultural trade, and guarantee of adequate, affordable, nutritious food for all people.