WATER SCARCITY AND REGIONAL CONFLICT: EXPLORING THE NEXUS OF RESOURCE STRESS AND SECURITY
Keywords:
Water scarcity, regional conflict, water security, transboundary water management, resource competition, climate change, environmental security, hydropolitics, conflict prevention, sustainable developmentAbstract
Water scarcity is increasingly recognized as a critical factor contributing to regional conflicts worldwide. As population growth, climate change, and unsustainable water management intensify competition over limited freshwater resources, tensions escalate among communities and states. This paper examines the complex relationship between water scarcity and regional conflict, analyzing case studies from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It explores how environmental stressors intersect with political, economic, and social factors to fuel disputes. The study highlights mechanisms of cooperation and conflict prevention, including transboundary water management, international law, and adaptive governance. Ultimately, it argues for integrated water security policies to mitigate conflict risks and promote sustainable peace .
