
David Michel is the senior fellow for water security with the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). His work explores the emerging challenges and policy solutions to growing pressures on the world’s interdependent water, food, energy, and climate systems. Before joining CSIS, he served as senior researcher with the Environment of Peace 2022 initiative at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, supporting governments and social institutions to anticipate, evaluate, and address complex ecological risks. As senior manager in the Transboundary Water Department with the Stockholm International Water Institute from 2017–2019, he worked to promote cooperative resources governance in major river basins across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. From 2010–2015 he was founding director of the Environmental Security Program at the Stimson Center. David has written widely on water and climate security, environmental resilience, and sustainable resources management, and has contributed policy analyses and strategic risk assessments for government agencies, development institutions, and international organizations such as the World Bank, United Nations, and U.S. National Intelligence Council. His analyses appear in academic and policy journals including Applied Energy, Journal of Hydrology, Water International, and Foreign Policy, and have featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Guardian, Voice of America, and the BBC. He was educated at Yale University, the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales and École Normale Supérieure in Paris, and the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
In the News 8 of 11 results
Exclusive: India weighs plan to slash Pakistan water supply with new Indus river project
David Michel cited in Reuters — May 16, 2025
Water wars: as India weaponises rivers, Pakistan thirsts for security
David Michel cited in South China Morning Post — May 10, 2025
واشنطن بين شراكة متنامية مع الهند وعلاقة تاريخية مع باكستان
David Michel cited in Al Jazeera — May 8, 2025
A háború szélére sodródott India és Pakisztán, évtizedek óta nem volt ilyen súlyos a helyzet
David Michel cited in Transtelex — May 7, 2025
Asia Daily: May 2, 2025
David Michel cited in The Asia Cable — May 2, 2025
The most dangerous river in the world: Why the Indus could spark WWIII
David Michel cited in The Telegraph — April 25, 2025
Damascus Plans to Desalinate Seawater
David Michel in The Syria Report — August 27, 2024
Iran: How oil production and sanctions drive up emissions
David Michel in Table.Briefings — July 9, 2024
All David Michel Content
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Global Foresight: Preparing for Future Trends
Can India Cut Off Pakistan’s Indus River Lifeline?
Critical Questions by David Michel — May 1, 2025
Can India Cut Off Pakistan’s Indus River Lifeline?
Podcast Episode by David Michel — May 1, 2025

Liquidity Crisis: Strengthening Funding Mechanisms for Resilient Water Systems
Commentary by David Michel — April 22, 2025
Liquidity Crisis: Strengthening Funding Mechanisms for Resilient Water Systems
Podcast Episode by David Michel — April 22, 2025



Hidden Depths: Water as a Resource and a Weapon
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and David Michel — March 25, 2025


