Introduction: Water Conflict and Cooperation

In June 2023, Russian troops deliberately destroyed the Kakhovka dam in southeast Ukraine, highlighting an alarming trend: Water resources are facing increasing pressure from armed violence worldwide. In the premiere episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel unpacks the Kakhovka dam as an instance of water weaponization in conflict—and sets out a framework for understanding the concept and features of water conflict more broadly. David is joined by Doug Weir, Director of the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), Iryna Babanina, a Ukraine-based researcher with CEOBS, and Dr. Peter Gleick, Senior Fellow and co-founder of the Pacific Institute.  Join us as we dive into the critical challenges—and opportunities—at the intersection of water, conflict, and cooperation.