Hydro Geopolitics of the Tigris and Euphrates

Rivers Euphrates and Tigris are in southwest Asia. The main utilizers of the water of these rivers and tributaries are Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. These rivers rise in Turkey, which makes it the riparian hegemon. Some of the tributaries of the Tigris and Shat Al-Arab Rivers rise in Iran, which makes it the riparian hegemon for these rivers. The lower countries in the catchments are Iraq and Syria and for this reason, they always to ensure the quantity of water required to satisfy their requirements. All these countries are in the Middle East (ME), which characterized by its shortage of water resources. Since the 1970s conflict between riparian counties were noticed due to shortage of available water required, high population growth rate and food security, energy requirements, economic and technological developments and political fragmentation. In addition, there is no public awareness program in all riparian countries and the water management practices are so old leading to high rate of losses. This caused tensions, which sometimes escalated to the verge of war. A mediator is required that is capable to bring all countries concerned to the negotiation table. Syria and Iraq are to give Turkey and Iran some incentives to cooperate. Furthermore, strategic plan based on comprehensive resources development to ensure good water management, minimum water loses, and waste must be adopted by the countries within the basins. This due to the fact that modeling studies of the future suggest that water shortage problem will intensify