Water, Peace and War: Confronting the Global Water Crisis

‘Water, Peace and War’ illustrates the theme of significance of water which is now in danger as per by the “Malthusian Catastrophe” concept due to over-population, economic development and growing prosperity. This water scarcity as well as political aims are causing water conflicts around the world. Nile river in Africa, Central Asia’s Amu and Syr Darya, Indus River Basin between India and Pakistan, Tigris-Euphrates in Middle East, water conflicts among Israel-Jordan, Malaysia and Singapore and so many more are major examples, triggering severe tensions. The scenario is intense which therefore requires mutually approved water-sharing treaty and securitization as peacebuilding measures.

Findings of the Book

Water as a multifaceted issue is being placed and explained in a bigger strategic framework by the author. It starts with the phenomenon of water scarcity, which is haunting barren lands as well as fertile plains in many regions and many reasons are prompting the situation. Climate change or environmental variation are also great threats to water resources. It is also being identified that transboundary water issues are having deep implications over peace and security. Because of weak conflict prevention setups, water systems are more prone to attacks now. Further, the author describes that rising consumption capacity is putting the water storage in more stress and making it as valuable as oil used to be. Currently the bottled water industry is in boom as the price of one water bottle is more than that of crude oil of same quantity.

Diversified patterns of conflict and cooperation over water in intra-state and inter-state context are also highlighted in the ‘Water, Peace and War’. There are no bounding international laws to sort out water related disputes therefore, water is being used as a political weapon in the contemporary era erupting territorial clashes, instable political consequences and internal plus external pressures. Example of China is narrated that how it is trying to extend power by controlling transnational water resources.

The whole world is under pressure due to the water crisis because it is linked with economy, health, food, agriculture, nation’s well-being and prosperity, peace of region, hence for whole world’s stability. That is why management is way too integral for building a stable and pleasant world.

The author focused on international policies and plans as well as measures which are now vital for peace and prevention. Strategies for mitigation and adaptation are outlined to avert wars and security risks. It is a dire need to address ambiguities present in international laws related to water otherwise it would be impossible to resolve such conflicts constructively. The whole world is under pressure due to the water crisis because it is linked with economy, health, food, agriculture, nation’s well-being and prosperity, peace of region, hence for whole world’s stability. That is why management is way too integral for building a stable and pleasant world.

The author has synthesized the research material from policy and scientific fields in a constructive manner. The book, ‘Water, Peace and War’ depicts the prominent links between various academic disciplines for the sake of understanding multi-dimensional challenges akin to water. The arguments are based on data as well as narrative evidence in which technical and original terms are used perfectly. Content is being described in a modest and melded manner by focusing geo-political aspects. Maps, tables, figures and charts are given to present different data in quantitative way.

Critical Analysis

Overall, ‘Water, Peace and War’ is based on water and peace issues linking it with the whole world. It is very informative for those who have a keen interest to know about the current status of an undervalued natural resource and that is water. A cohesive picture regarding implications for peace and security of earth, retaliating stress and competition have been drawn by the author. Regional and global examples are used as illustrations to show relevancy between peace and security challenges associated with water. In a nutshell it is a comprehensive and policy-oriented book based on the geo-strategic scope of water wars or conflicts that requires a cooperation-based attitude.

Haadia zaman

The author is pursuing a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). Her research centers on conflict resolution and peacebuilding strategies, with a specific focus on climate diplomacy and sustainable development.

• Haadia zaman

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