الحرب الباردة الثقافية المخابرات المركزية الأمريكية وعالم الفنون والآداب

This paper is a study of the water resources in the Middle East. It seeks to answer the most important question raised in this problematic field- namely locating and measuring the water resources in the Middle East. The paper further seeks to assess the total amount of the water demand in this area. A comparative study of the water supply and demand is conducted so as to discover the level of water shortage in the Middle East. It also seeks to assess the secure level of water supplies needed in the area. The Arab world, the estimated data shows, has substantial water resources varying between (231.3) to (274.7) billion cubic meters. Between (195) and (202) billion cubic meters are in actual use, and the share of the eastern part of the Arab world from this amount varies between (76.2) and (97.4) billion cubic meters. With the rapid population increase and the systematic development of the sociopolitical, economic and cultural life, the present water situation is under severe pressures, which creates further demand for water. The total water demand in the Arab world in the year 2000, this paper estimated, is put at (202) billion cubic meters, including (64.4) billion cubic meters allocated specifically to the eastern part of the Arab world. The study has also shown that all Arab countries in particular, and other Middle Eastern countries in general, are now under the water poverty line, internationally estimated below (1000) cubic meters per capita per year. Most of these countries are even below the (500) cubic meters per capita per year, which is considered normal for dry and semi-dry areas. The major findings of this paper are briefly listed, along with the recommendations suggested to improve the level of Water Security in the Middle East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]