A Geopolitical Analysis of Euphrates and Tigris Rivers’ Basin with a Systemic Approach

Water constitutes the source of human life and drinkable water scarcity has led to outbreak of lasting or ephemeral conflicts and violence. Southwest Asia is among the world’s regions that are faced with water scarcity in such a way that many experts and analysts warn about the possible tensions over access to water in this area. The Euphrates and Tigris rivers’ basin encounters significant challenges in this regard. Passage of international rivers across three countries including Turkey, Syria and Iraq, which on the one hand need plenty of water and domestic and international tensions leave them vulnerable on the other has created a complex dilemma. The complicated nature of such a situation, considering different political-economic systems, political instability and the region’s highly significant status where every move will bring about regional and global reactions, is exacerbated. In order to analyze the situation and current trends and future scenarios, this article adopts a systemic approach in order to examine the existing circumstances, systemic dimensions and interdependence between these nations, offering suitable suggestions.