Iran’s Water Crisis…

When I was in Iran eight years ago, I visited the banks of the Zayanderud, the River of Life, in Isfahan, and was sad to discover that the river had run dry. A few weeks ago, I returned to the legendary arched bridges of Isfahan with members of the Commonwealth Club of California — and found that the river was dry once again. While we were admiring the arched bridges stretched across this thirsty riverbed, I spoke a bit about how scholars and analysts have linked the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq to dwindling water supplies in the Middle East. I also discussed how water wars may be imminent in Central Asia as well. So I was intrigued to see an Al Jazeera story today on Iran’s water crisis — an important environmental phenomenon which has not been received the media attention it deserves. Any sophisticated and nuanced analysis of the future of the Middle East cannot discount the potential destabilizing impact of the intensifying water shortages in the region.