Iraq’s Water Politics: Impacts of Drought, Mismanagement and Conflict in the Middle East

Profile picture for user Elisa Cherry Submitted by Elisa Cherry on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 10:47

Iraq is currently facing one of its driest summers on record. 2018 was the driest year ever recorded due to a lack of rainfall, and 2021 is not far behind. Recent years’ droughts have wreaked havoc on the land in Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, but climate change is not the only driver of water shortages. Consequences of unilateral, upstream activity, water mismanagement, a lack of accountability and conflict have all exacerbated Iraq’s water crisis.

Lebanese crisis: is Hezbollah politicising social aid?

Profile picture for user Wilson Fache Submitted by Wilson Fache
Position: Middle East Consultant on Mon, 08/16/2021 - 13:52

 

Last Spring, Hezbollah began distributing magnetic cards that allow its supporters to receive a cash allowance and large discounts on basic goods. The so-called “al-Sajjad” card, which is credited with a maximum of 300,000 Lebanese pounds, gives access to party-affiliated supermarkets which are otherwise off limits to the public.