1. New Canal Threatens the Peace Between the Taliban and Central Asia
- Author:
- Bruce Pannier
- Publication Date:
- 07-2023
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- Foreign Policy Research Institute
- Abstract:
- Since their return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have managed to reach an understanding with most of the Central Asian governments to preserve a relative calm along the areas of the Afghan-Central Asian frontier. Disputes over water use have suddenly become an issue that could derail ties between Afghanistan and Central Asian states. Specifically, the construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in northern Afghanistan could lead to the loss of water for tens of thousands of people in downstream communities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In addition, three people were killed in recent clashes between Iranian border guards and Taliban fighters along the Afghan-Iranian border over rights to water from the Helmand River.
- Topic:
- Natural Resources, Water, Taliban, Borders, and Regional Politics
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, Iran, South Asia, Central Asia, Eurasia, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan