Water: an emerging issue in the Middle East?

The study is concerned with a potentially severe problem emerging in the Middle East - the threat of major water shortages. This developing issue is likely to exacerbate already strained relations between states in the region. The authors illustrate a number of aspects of this crisis through an examination of one river system, the Jordan. Proceeding from this example, the first steps can be taken toward an effective theory of issues and water conflicts. Application of this theoretical framework reveals that the water issue means different things to different actors. (DÜI-Sen)