Hidden Depths

Armed conflict is rising worldwide. The ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine exemplify the toll that modern warfare can take on vital water systems and water infrastructure. Hidden Depths has explored the history of water conflict and the future water risk environment—now, host David Michel breaks down necessary steps for protecting water resources in conflict zones.In this episode of Hidden Depths, David is joined by Charlie Iceland, Director of Freshwater Initiatives at the World Resources Institute and Mara Tignino, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Geneva.Join us as we dive into safeguards for water in times of war.

As pressure mounts on the world’s vital water systems, shortfalls between rising demand and shifting supplies can exacerbate water conflicts among countries or communities reliant on common water supplies. Water diplomacy is an increasingly critical tool for preventing, reducing, or peacefully resolving conflicts over shared water resources.In the final episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel defines water diplomacy and explains its role in facilitating broader cooperation among states. David is joined by Martina Klimes, Advisor for Water and Peace at the Stockholm International Water Institute; Charlie Iceland, Director of Freshwater Initiatives at the World Resources Institute; and Julie Snorek, a geographer at Dartmouth College.Join us for the conclusion of Hidden Depths as we look forward to a cooperative future for this most critical resource.

Critical water infrastructure supports essential services from sanitation and drinking supply to irrigation, flood protection, and power generation. It is the very importance of these water systems that has historically made them recurrent targets of war. As new trends and technologies emerge, new water security risks are unlocked.In this episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel looks at the use of water by terrorist groups and examines how digitalization creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities for the water sector and everything that depends on it. David is joined by Jennifer Veilleux, a geographer at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Riccardo Taormina, an assistant professor at the Delft Technical University.Join us as we unpack emerging water security risks.

Blessed by several major rivers and ample rainfall, Myanmar holds vast hydropower potential. Key river sites, claimed by ethnic separatist groups in the nation’s ongoing civil way, turn hydropower development into a flashpoint of conflict. Where control of water resources is seen as both a symbol and tool of power, water fuels the cycle of violence.In this episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel examines water as a contributing driver of conflict in Myanmar and the Sahel before looking ahead to the future of water governance under increasing climate pressure. David is joined by Kyungmee Kim, a researcher in the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University; Julie Snorek, a geographer at Dartmouth College; and Nazanine Moshiri, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.Join us as we delve into water at the breaking point between grievance and conflict.

Peter Schwartzstein, an environmental journalist and author of "The Heat and the Fury," joins the discussion to unveil the dire realities of water as both a weapon and victim in conflict. He highlights how water infrastructure is deliberately targeted to exert power over populations, exacerbating humanitarian crises. The conversation dives into historical and contemporary conflicts, with a focus on the Tigris-Euphrates River disputes, and stresses the urgent need for governance to mitigate these escalating water-driven tensions amid climate change.

Peter Gleick, Senior Fellow and co-founder of the Pacific Institute, discusses the dual role of water as both a weapon and a means for cooperation. He highlights how recent events, like the Khovka Reservoir dam explosion in Ukraine, reveal water's strategic use in warfare. With an alarming rise in water-related conflicts globally, Gleick emphasizes the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to mitigate these tensions. He also points to the environmental and humanitarian crises stemming from water scarcity and the necessity for cooperative governance to ensure future water security.

Explore the intricate dance of water conflict and cooperation in an ever-challenging landscape. The discussion highlights the critical issue of water scarcity and its connection to geopolitical tensions. Hear about the pressing need for dialogue and collaborative management to tackle disputes over this vital resource, all while envisioning a shared, sustainable future for water access.