The culture and politics of water use in the Middle East and North Africa intersects with global strategic interests, social and economic development, population movements, and climate change. Although oil and natural gas garner most public attention because of their importance to global markets, all experts agree that in the medium to long term, the very existence of life in the region will be directly linked to how societies handle water.

This conference about water and power in the Middle East and North Africa brings together experts working in different disciplines to examine how various governments, political movements, and communities have been dealing with the set of problems arising from the scarcity and management of water. By focusing on issues of sustainability, governance, and social justice, the conference contributes to the rise of public awareness in the Global North about the importance of these issues and raises questions about the role of Middle East Studies at this critical juncture.