In an era where water scarcity and disputes over water rights increasingly shape global politics, understanding the nexus between water and peace is more critical than ever. Recent events such as the border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, or continued tensions between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over the Nile River’s usage, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address both the hydrological and social dimensions of water management.

Hydropower is the largest source of low-carbon electricity in the world today. And its benefits are needed more than ever. The International Energy Agency estimates that we will need to double the amount of installed hydropower capacity—which stands today at around 1360 gigawatts worldwide—in order to limit the rise in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Ever since the CNA’s Military Advisory Board—composed of former U.S. military personnel—named climate change as a “threat multiplier” in a 2007 report, the term has gained widespread currency both in environmental and national security circles. It also has propelled the need to assess and address climate-related security risks higher up overall policy agendas.