State-of-the-art review of transboundary water governance in the Euphrates–Tigris river basin

Abstract

This article reviews the state of the art of transboundary water governance in the Euphrates–Tigris river basin, which is characterized by both political confrontation and cooperative institutional development. First, research on the physical characteristics of the basin is presented, with references to the literature on large-scale water development projects that underpin transboundary water interactions. Then, contending approaches to transboundary water governance are discussed, with specific references to the evolution of institutions. Finally, bearing in mind that transboundary water governance in the basin occurs in volatile political circumstances, current issues such as control of the water infrastructure by non-state violent actors and protection of water during armed conflict are scrutinized.

Keywords:

• Euphrates-Tigris river basin
• transboundary water governance
• cooperation
• conflict
• institutions
• non-riparian issues
• non-state actors

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Orkan Ozcan in creating the figure. I would also like to thank Caroline Fell Kurban and Rikkert Stuve, who reviewed earlier versions of this manuscript. Last but not least, I thank two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.