Water, War, and Global Geopolitics
Water is not only essential for life but also a driving factor of geopolitical conflicts and an influential element in global geopolitics. The struggle for access to and control over water resources or bodies of water has significantly impacted global dynamics, and often fueling tensions between nations. Scholars have explored how the politicization of water resources or bodies of water has led to both war and alliances or cooperation. Expertise in managing water resources has also influenced international relations, as demonstrated by Sneddon 2015, who addresses the political and ecological impact of large dams, focusing on how the United States used its technical expertise in dam construction to gain political and economic influence globally. The issues of water scarcity and access to water resources have consistently drawn international attention. For instance, Hamblin 2019 analyzes President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Water for Peace” initiative, which attempted to address water scarcity in the Middle East through nuclear-powered desalination but ultimately failed due to political and technological difficulties. Meanwhile, Harper 2008 discusses the history and development of weather modification efforts in the U.S., particularly as a means to manage water supplies in arid regions like the Western U.S.
Control over bodies of water often leads to debates between nations, as Hamblin 2002 discusses in his analysis about the controversial debates around radioactive waste disposal in the oceans during the Cold War, particularly Britain’s approach and its interactions with the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Maclellan 2005 explores the impact of nuclear testing in the Pacific region, noting that some tests conducted by Western states, such as those carried out on isolated atolls, have impacted the environment and Indigenous communities in the area. Furthermore, control over oil is often tied to control of bodies of water and water resources, as Hein 2022 examines in her book. She introduces the concept of the “petroleumscape” to analyze the circular production of oil-related locations around the world, and she also touches on how oil infrastructure, such as pipelines, refineries, and offshore drilling, affects water systems, including bodies of water and watery ecosystems.
Books
In this chapter, Hamblin discusses that the “Water for Peace” initiative was driven by the ambition to increase the influence of the United States in the region, particularly in relation to Israel’s water security, but it became entangled in Cold War issues and the complexities of nuclear proliferation.
The book is divided into three chapters. The first focuses on oil’s role in influencing global geographies, and territorial projects. The second explores the ways oil influences urban spaces, environments, and cultural practices, all of which are often connected to colonial and post-colonial frameworks. The final section covers the energy transition, considering how to reuse the petroleumscape and design post-oil futures.
Sneddon emphasizes how the United States Bureau of Reclamation used dam projects as tools during the Cold War to combat communism and extend U.S. influence. Through case studies in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Sneddon argues that although dams were intended to help developing countries, they often fall short of their goals.
Articles
In this article Hamblin points out Britain’s reliance on the sea’s diluting capacity amid criticism of its dumping practices, contrasting it with the United States model that pursued land disposal. He also notes that diplomatic relations and public perception most often influenced Britain to prioritize image management over environmental safety. He further discusses the role of the European Nuclear Energy Agency in legitimizing ocean dumping, despite significant opposition from countries regarding environmental impacts.
Harper’s article discusses how weather modification often sparks both controversy and efforts by various levels of government to regulate and harness these technologies for practical purposes. She asserts that today, while government support for weather modification has decreased since the 1970s, ongoing projects and calls for research funding reflect a growing recognition of the need for similar initiatives, particularly in the context of climate change and its impact on water supplies.
In this article, Maclellan highlights the continuous struggles faced by Indigenous Pacific communities due to the lasting impacts of nuclear tests as well as their attempts to seek compensation and environmental restoration. He argues that Pacific Island nations like Palau and Fiji were the first to advocate for anti-nuclear zones, rather than Australia or New Zealand. While there has been progress in nuclear disarmament, the article mentions that the Pacific region is still far from being completely nuclear-free.