With the rise of the Islamic State, civil wars, the largest refugee crisis in recent history, and governments that are alarmingly both inefficient and corrupt, current conditions in the Middle East are dreary, to say the least. Scientists and historians are now finding that many of these problems either stemmed from, or are exacerbated by, the water conflicts and shortages that have plagued this region. If I could go back in time and give advice to Middle Eastern leaders about water resources, I would warn them about fighting over their water sources and teach them ways to conserve water. The countries I would address include Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. They would be told about ways to utilize canals, wells, and water pipelines to disperse water from places where it is more plentiful to where it is scarce, as well as store water from the wet seasons to be used in times of drought. I would also tell them about ways to recycle waste water and the technology used to desalinate water from the ocean. Lastly, and most importantly, I would advise them to implement policies that regulate the amount of water people can use to prevent the overuse of important aquifers.

The current conflicts in the Middle East show that they have not been doing much right regarding their water resources. I don’t think there is anything that I would say they did right in this situation that I would keep the same. While the dams that these countries have built have the potential to be valuable resources both socially and economically, they are instead used to hoard water (in the case of Turkey) or as a dangerous weapon (in the case of the Mosul Dam).

While I would like to believe that the leaders would heed my recommendations, I have a feeling that they would be too prideful and rather take my suggestions as offensive to their way of life. Even today, leaders in the Middle East tend to be stubborn and not heed the warnings of the rest of the world.

Three pieces of information I would need from the past to turn this into a formal research paper:

• The water resource technology available to these countries during this time
• The climate and weather patterns in these countries
• Detailed reports on the amount of water being used per person

I would find this information through the on-campus library and its online resources. I would look for peer reviewed articles to ensure that my resources are credible.

If I had the opportunity to travel back in time to consult with the middle eastern leaders of Turkey, Iraq and Syria. I would take back proof that what they are doing (or not doing) with their water supplies will lead to a pending global catastrophe.  If I could, I would also take back the current technological plans for desalination and solar power. If the countries involved could further that current technology, then it would beneficial to the whole world. While it is expensive, if you could mediate a joint deal between multiple countries that would be beneficial to all parties involved.  I would inform on the pending drought to the region, and if they don’t start a water management program then it would lead to wars and thousands dead. I also believe that they should start metering the populace, meaning everybody gets charged for their usage. This act would lower consumption greatly because there would not be excessive use. It would allow for possible economic growth, with jobs being generated for installs and maintenance of the whole system overall. I believe that the leaders i spoke with would listen to me. If i had good proof that was irrefutable and that if they did not listen then they would be signing the death warrants of thousands.

 

Info needed:

I would need as much information about the leaders of Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

 

I would also need as much information as possible about the conflicts currently happening during the time traveling back to.

 

I would also want more information about the state of their infrastructure, and what techniques they have tried and failed at.

 

Im sure i could find this information available from the Albertson’s library and also internet research. I would make sure that I get as much primary information as possible. Secondary information would be easier to find but also helpful. As with all research if I were to use the Internet for research purposes I would have to verify and substantiate that the information is accurate.

If I could turn back time I would offer some good advice that I learned while reading these articles. I would first start by telling Turkey, Iraq, and Syria that by cutting water and resources off from one another, will not solve anything at all. Some good advice for them would be better management. From reading these articles it seemed as though they were to busy fighting with one another over water that they just kept making the situation worse. Stop, think, and manage would have been a lot more useful during these tough times. Management will do wonder when you actually sit down and analyze a situation and take action on it. They could have also tried recycling their water, which by doing that it would also take management. By recycling their water they would not have had the conflict of sucking their aquifers dry. Aquifers are non replenish able, that seems very scary. Although with proper action this issue could be reduced.

I do think that leaders would view my suggestions of better management, and recycling worth implementing. Its amazing at how much easier and rational things can be when everyone quits fighting and puts their heads together, I understand this was a time of war but they did more than just kill people, they killed their water supply at their own fault.

Some pieces of information that I would need that I did not get while reading these articles would be their global warming and climate conditions during this time. Today this type of information comes in very handy when deciding how they will manage their water. Also things such as rainfall are very important to know. What were their water laws? who made the decisions and why? Did they have any actual knowledge of the system or were they just born into the position?