Hidden Depths

As pressure mounts on the world’s vital water systems, shortfalls between rising demand and shifting supplies can exacerbate water conflicts among countries or communities reliant on common water supplies. Water diplomacy is an increasingly critical tool for preventing, reducing, or peacefully resolving conflicts over shared water resources. In the final episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel defines water diplomacy and explains its role in facilitating broader cooperation among states. David is joined by Martina Klimes, Advisor for Water and Peace at the Stockholm International Water Institute; Charlie Iceland, Director of Freshwater Initiatives at the World Resources Institute; and Julie Snorek, a geographer at Dartmouth College. Join us for the conclusion of Hidden Depths as we look forward to a cooperative future for this most critical resource.

Armed conflict is rising worldwide. The ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine exemplify the toll that modern warfare can take on vital water systems and water infrastructure. Hidden Depths has explored the history of water conflict and the future water risk environment—now, host David Michel breaks down necessary steps for protecting water resources in conflict zones. In this episode of Hidden Depths, David is joined by Charlie Iceland, Director of Freshwater Initiatives at the World Resources Institute and Mara Tignino, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Geneva. Join us as we dive into safeguards for water in times of war.

Critical water infrastructure supports essential services from sanitation and drinking supply to irrigation, flood protection, and power generation. It is the very importance of these water systems that has historically made them recurrent targets of war. As new trends and technologies emerge, new water security risks are unlocked. In this episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel looks at the use of water by terrorist groups and examines how digitalization creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities for the water sector and everything that depends on it. David is joined by Jennifer Veilleux, a geographer at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Riccardo Taormina, an assistant professor at the Delft Technical University. Join us as we unpack emerging water security risks.

Blessed by several major rivers and ample rainfall, Myanmar holds vast hydropower potential. Key river sites, claimed by ethnic separatist groups in the nation’s ongoing civil way, turn hydropower development into a flashpoint of conflict. Where control of water resources is seen as both a symbol and tool of power, water fuels the cycle of violence. In this episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel examines water as a contributing driver of conflict in Myanmar and the Sahel before looking ahead to the future of water governance under increasing climate pressure. David is joined by Kyungmee Kim, a researcher in the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University; Julie Snorek, a geographer at Dartmouth College; and Nazanine Moshiri, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. Join us as we delve into water at the breaking point between grievance and conflict.

In water-scarce regions, water is more than just a resource; it is a lifeline. But in conflict-affected regions around the world, opposing parties are deliberately targeting water supplies—destroying water infrastructure or seizing and controlling water systems to weaken opponents and exert power over populations. In this episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel examines how water is both a weapon and victim of conflict. David is joined by Marcus King, Professor of Practice in Environment and International Affairs at Georgetown University; Marwa Daoudy, Chair of Arab Studies and Associate Professor of International Relations in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University; and Peter Schwartzstein, Environmental Journalist and Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Climate and Security.  Join us as we analyze the growing risks of water-driven conflict and what can be done to mitigate its devastating effects.

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.

Introducing Hidden Depths, a six-part narrative podcast miniseries exploring the dynamics of water conflict and the possibilities for water cooperation. Join us as we dive into the shared future of this most critical resource.