Benefit-sharing as a tool of conflict transformation: applying the Inter-SEDE model to the Euphrates and Tigris river basins

The concept of benefit-sharing, as employed in the Inter-SEDE model, analyzes potential security, economic development, and environmental-related benefits to sharing the waters of the Euphrates and Tigris river basins. The article finds that Iraq scores fairly high on security and economics-related indicators, revealing the country’s vulnerable downstream position. Syria’s security score highlights this actor’s vulnerable position as the mid-stream riparian. Turkey is favorably differentiated on some of the economic indicators. To enhance the potential for spill-over between water cooperation and conflict prevention, durable and peaceful relations among riparian states require that water-related benefits be shared.