Hidden Depths Water as a Weapon and Victim of Conflict
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Mar 10, 2025 Peter Schwartzstein, an environmental journalist and author of "The Heat and the Fury," joins the discussion to unveil the dire realities of water as both a weapon and victim in conflict. He highlights how water infrastructure is deliberately targeted to exert power over populations, exacerbating humanitarian crises. The conversation dives into historical and contemporary conflicts, with a focus on the Tigris-Euphrates River disputes, and stresses the urgent need for governance to mitigate these escalating water-driven tensions amid climate change.
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Tigris-Euphrates River Basin Conflict
- Turkey's dam project on the Tigris-Euphrates River impacted water flow to Syria, causing tensions.
- Syria and Iraq objected, leading to water becoming a bargaining chip in regional conflicts, particularly regarding Kurdish separatists.
Al-Shabaab's Tactical Water Use
- In Somalia, Al-Shabaab diverted a river to flood an area under surveillance by US and Kenyan forces.
- This forced the troops to relocate, where they were ambushed, highlighting water's tactical use.
ISIS and Water Weaponization
- ISIS exploited their knowledge of local water dynamics in Iraq.
- They used water scarcity to recruit resentful villagers, demonstrating its power in manipulating populations.
