Abstract
This paper explores the geopolitical overlay that is shaping dynamic hydropolitical interactions of the Harirud River Basin, which is a basin that spans Afghanistan, Iran and Turkmenistan. This paper argues that the control and capture of water resources are not solely for economic development but rather for geopolitical reasons that serve the security interests of the actors involved, particularly outside-basin powers like the US and India. The Afghan Government similarly views dams as symbols of nation-building and a way of staying in power. In the absence of a lasting trilateral agreement, the existing nature of the geopolitical dynamics of the basin has led upstream Afghanistan and downstream Iran and Turkmenistan to unilaterally establish their rights to control the “rules of the game”. This paper suggests that sustainable solutions will not be reached unless the geopolitical nature of the basin and outside interventions can center on a normative understanding of the regional interests, identities, and commonalities of all the riparian states.
Highlights
Hydropolitical studies1 have resulted in different ideas and contested beliefs about the relation of politics and water resources among academics and politicians
Given the region’s water scarcity and geopolitical importance, we propose that a better understanding of the situation can be reached by considering Afghanistan, Iran and Turkmenistan as a “hydropolitical security complex”
Through an analysis of the geopolitical interests of external actors in the context of the Great Game and the framework of critical hydropolitics, this paper aims to address the following questions, which are of growing interest among scholars and researchers of water politics: How can dam development influence the geopolitics of the region in the post-conflict period? Are any other out-of-basin interestsshaping the hydropolitical relationships in the riparian states?
Summary
Hydropolitical studies have resulted in different ideas and contested beliefs about the relation of politics and water resources among academics and politicians. Through an analysis of the geopolitical interests of external actors (mainly outside the basin) in the context of the Great Game and the framework of critical hydropolitics, this paper aims to address the following questions, which are of growing interest among scholars and researchers of water politics: How can dam development influence the geopolitics of the region in the post-conflict period? To better understand the political perspectives, interests, policies and strategies of the key parties concerned with the basin, discourse analysis can help explain the nature of transboundary water interactions and power struggles among the riparian states. External actors’ strategies involve principally controlling water resources for their own interests and ignoring the basin’s integrated approach for serving all riparian states’ water demand These strategies threaten the process of peace-building in Afghanistan and the creation of a mutual understanding between the riparian states along the basin. It is necessary to understand the geopolitical challenges, tensions, beliefs and historical interpretations of the different parties involved, which have a reciprocal relationship with transboundary water interactions, in order to develop a theoretical understanding of the significance of hydropolitics in the basin
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
