WATER-Model: An Optimal Allocation of Water Resources in Turkey, Syria and Iraq

Political instability of several countries in the Middle East is overshadowing one of the biggest challenges of the upcoming century: Water - a natural resource that is easily taken for granted, but whose scarcity might lead to serious conflicts. This paper investigates an optimal Water Allocation of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivershed by introducing the WATER-Model. A series of scenarios are analyzed to examine the effects of different levels of cooperation for an optimal water allocation. Special emphasize is put on the effects of filling new Turkish reservoirs which can cause additional welfare losses if these actions are not done on a basin-wide coordinated basis. Modeling results show that Turkey is most efficient in its water usage. However, using the water for irrigation purposes in Turkey, instead of the Iraqi or Syrian domestic and industrial sector, decreases the overall welfare. Especially the Euphrates basin might thus encounter losses of up to 33% due to such strategic behaviour. The predicted water demand growth in the region is going to increase this water scarcity further. Minimum flow treaties between riparian countries, however, can help to increase the overall welfare and should therefore be fostered

Security implications of Turkey's March towards EU membership

[No abstract available

The privatization initiatives in the turkish water sector: Reflections on the transboundary water politics in the euphrates-tigris river basin

Turkey’s proposed privatization plan, notwithstanding the fact that it is not yet implemented, is the first case of a planning of a largescale privatization of (parts of) the transboundary rivers, namely the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. This chapter aims to articulate a number of risks associated with any privatization in the Euphrates-Tigris transboundary river basin. To this end, the first section expresses major policy configurations in the water sector by following a historical line of reasoning. A wide range of literature outlining arguments for and against privatization in the water sector is provided as a ground for debate. The second section displays the Euphrates-Tigris River basin’s characteristics, hydropolitical relations and possible outcomes resulting out of the privatization plan. Additionally, the chapter provides considered recommendations that can be used in near future as the Turkish government continues to support the private sector, privatization projects in particular. © 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Us nuclear weapons in Turkey: Yankee go home?

[No abstract available

Legal and institutional foundations of Turkey’s domestic and transboundary water policy

Turkey’s water policy and management is a culmination of various laws and regulations governed by a range of national ministries and executive administrations. Over time, several changes were made in the existing legislation and institutions, which ended up with complex water management system in Turkey. Existing surface and groundwater laws have become insufficient in responding to the increasing water demand and diminishing water supply. On the other hand, neoliberal transformation of Turkish economy in the 1980s and the country’s harmonization process with the European Union since the early 2000s have produced new primary and secondary water legislations in the domestic water, irrigation, hydropower and the environment sectors. In this context, this chapter, firstly, describes the principal water legislation in Turkey. Secondly, main water institutions are depicted with specific attention to the reorganization processes of various key ministries due to domestic and regional political changes. Finally, Turkey’s transboundary water policy is delineated with its basic principles and prevailing practices.WOS:000487756200018Book Citation Index- Science - Book Citation Index- Social Sciences and HumanitiesArticle; Book ChapterMayıs2020YÖK - 2019-2

Turkey

This chapter reviews irrigation development and policy with specific references to the main water- and land-based regional socioeconomic development projects in Turkey. It analyzes the expansion of irrigation investment as well as institutional and technological changes in irrigation policy and development in parallel with policies of liberalization and decentralization in the late 1980s. The chapter also discusses institutional changes in the management of the irrigation systems as a result of (partial) transfer of management of large-scale irrigation systems to a variety of water user organizations. Finally, it describes current technological and institutional problems and the further challenges to the irrigation sector, such as infrastructure deterioration, risks of drought, environmental and ecological system degradation, and insufficient investment. It also notes the efforts to equip new irrigation schemes with modern technology, such as closed pipes for conveying water instead of open channels, and water-saving micro-irrigation methods rather than surface irrigation techniques. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019