An Introduction to Hydropolitics in the Persian Gulf Region
摘要
Today, water, as one of the geographical resources of power, plays a very significant role in the relationships formed between countries, insomuch that it cannot be ignored. Thus, according to many geopolitics experts, the future war between countries will be the war over accessing water resources. The scarcity of freshwater in the Persian Gulf region has necessitated policy-makers to review their past policies and to apply a more realistic approach toward this issue. Therefore, the countries of the Persian Gulf region have faced many challenges due to the lack of access to this resource (drinking water), even though these countries have control over the Persian Gulf Sea. However, due to its saltwater, this sea cannot meet the drinking water needs of the countries. Yet, having been located on the shores of the Persian Gulf and enjoying a strategic position, the sea can play a prominent role in international relations and power games for the Persian Gulf countries. This chapter seeks to examine the hydropolitics of the Persian Gulf, using a descriptive-analytical approach. The results of the research show that the future war in the Persian Gulf region could be a war over water and access to water resources, with major regional powers such as Iran playing a major role in shaping peace and convergence rather than tension and conflict over access to water resources.