Potential Water Conflicts in the Middle East
By: Dr. Nimrod Raphaeli

C. The Jordan River

The Jordan River flows between four countries, two of which,
Jordan and Israel, have a peace treaty that regulates the use of the
river basin and its tributary. The other two countries, Syria and
Lebanon, are contentious riparian countries. Of Israel’s
neighbors, only Jordan can claim a lower water potential.


............

As the competition for water between a growing population and
agriculture intensifies, it is certain that the issue will be settled
in favor of the population, driving many countries in the Middle East
into a...

Potential Water Conflicts in the Middle East
By: Dr. Nimrod Raphaeli

C. The Jordan River

The Jordan River flows between four countries, two of which,
Jordan and Israel, have a peace treaty that regulates the use of the
river basin and its tributary. The other two countries, Syria and
Lebanon, are contentious riparian countries. Of Israel’s
neighbors, only Jordan can claim a lower water potential.


............

As the competition for water between a growing population and
agriculture intensifies, it is certain that the issue will be settled
in favor of the population, driving many countries in the Middle East
into a growing dependency for their grains and cereals on countries,
mostly democratic and liberal, for their survival.