Adel Darwish

In the following viewpoint, Adel Darwish maintains that future water shortages are likely to create conflicts among the nations of the Middle East. The aridity of the region—as well as the area’s growing population, contradictory laws on shared natural resources, and political instability—will cause strife unless the various nations agree to work together on water projects, the author contends. Darwish, a journalist, is coauthor of Water Wars: Coming Conflicts in the Middle East.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Darwish, what percentage of renewable water supplies does the Middle East use annually?
2. According to the author, which world leaders have suggested that water will be a likely cause of war in the Middle East?
3. How has the High Dam on the Nile affected the environment...