Water Wars

When I was preparing to live in China I learned that water security would be an important issue not just for the necessities of daily life but also as a key to understanding stressors within a community and between nations.  In a country with increasing demand for usable water and diminishing aquifers water is a central political, social and business issue.  Despite this experience, I didn't internalize the impact of water security until I moved to California.  It is too easy to underestimate the impact that water on our lives and our sense of security.   Those who have experienced water scarcity know it to be a deeply troubling issue for a community, striking at the core of our sense of security and our ability to provide basics for family and for industry.

As global population moves toward 9 billion this growth will not be conveniently distributed around the globe.  Growth rates are currently stressing the very regions least equipped to deal adequately with the the strain on resources and infrastructure.  The greatest demographic growth is occurring in communities most likely to be poor and short on water.  Thirsty people with children to feed and neighbors to blame remain a recipe for conflict.


The US Institute of Peace and the Army hosted a water and security conference in September to look at these issues.  A conference like this is a great way to get read into a tough issue by really smart people.  Secondly, a glance at the guest list helps identify institutions and people who serve as centers of gravity in the conversation.  For a non expert it is easier to identify people to watch rather than trying to keep an eye on a complex and evolving issue like water security.  This conference is a great start to understanding an important issue related to defense, security, diplomacy, and business.  Fortunately smart people are working hard to address these issues.  Through public conferences and online databases like FEWSnet, their work is more accessible than ever.

Opening Remarks: Jim Marshall, President, U.S. Institute of Peace

Introduction of Keynote: General Gordon R. Sullivan, President, Association of the United States Army - Keynote Address: LTG Thomas Bostick, U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - 

Opening Panel: Water Security and Scarcity -- Defining objectives, trends, challenges and opportunities.  Moderator: Dr. John Kelly, Professor of National Security Studies, National Defense University - MG Richard Engel, National Intelligence Council - Dr. Aaron Salzberg, Special Coordinator for Water Resources, Office of Environmental Sustainability, U.S. State Department - Dr. Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute - Ms. Laura Harnish, Vice President, CH2M Hill Water Business Group - Dr. Jerome Delli Priscoli, Senior Advisor, Institute for Water Resources USACE; Governor of World Water Council; Editor in Chief Water Policy

Panel II: Africa -- What the U.S can and is willing to do to provide solutions to water security problems. Speakers: Moderator: LTG Jeffrey Talley, Chief and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve - Dr. Julia Bucknall, Senior Manager, the Water Anchor, the World Bank - Mr. Christian Holmes, Global Water Coordinator, U.S. Agency for International Development - Mr. Jeff Seabright, Vice President of Environment and Water Resources, The Coca-Cola Company - Dr. Jun Bando, Special Advisor to the Commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) - Major General Chris Leins, Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs for Africa in the Joint Staff J5 - Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia

Closing Remarks: Ambassador Hattie Babbitt, Chair, U.S. Water Partnership Steering Committee