As one of the most volatile, heavily-armed and strategically-significant regions on earth, the Middle East constantly engages the attention of world powers, whose foreign policies are often driven by a desire for guaranteed access to oil and for overall stability in the area. This book contends, however, that it is conflicts over the control of water, not oil, which are likely to threaten stability. Explaining how environmental and political factors are radically affecting the water supply of the three great river systems - the Nile, the Jordan and the Tigris-Euphrates - the book demonstrates that new, often highly-unlikely and potentially-explosive alliances (between such sworn enemies as Iraq and Syria, for example) are being dictated by the need for water; and how the established power-balance can be radically affected when a down-river state fears that its up-river neighbour may turn off the tap. The authors also look at the way in which water underlies many of today's most pressing issues. John Bulloch is a former Diplomatic Editor of "The Daily Telegraph" and Middle East Editor of "The Independent". His books on the Middle East include "Saddam's War".
Adel Darwish is an Egyptian-born investigative journalist who writes on international affairs for "The Independent". He was a co-author of "Unholy Babylon: the Secret History of Saddam's War".
- ISBN10 0575057971
- ISBN13 9780575057975
- Publish Date 7 December 1995 (first published November 1993)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 21 June 2001
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 288
- Language English