| Summary: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === The Middle East is a region of vital interest, not just to the United States, but also to the entire world. It is also an area of severe water scarcity. Due to a variety of factors, the demand for water in the Middle East is rapidly increasing, placing additional stress on already constrained water supplies. Because water has no substitutes and is an important part of economies, culture, security, and life itself, it is not surprising that many warn of impending wars over water. However, conflict over scarce water resources is not the only possible outcome. Cooperation between states to share the benefits of this increasingly precious commodity is not only another possibility; it is the more likely outcome. Wars fought over water are very unlikely to end successfully for any participant, with the costs far outweighing any benefits, while cooperation maximizes the benefits from a limited resource. While interstate war over water is unlikely, water could still cause issues internal to Middle Eastern countries. Without proper management practices and forward-looking policies, lack of water could lead to internal conflicts, which could cause significant unrest in the region.
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