Project on Water Security

Improving coherence between U.S. global food security and U.S. global water security policy and programming.

With data-driven research and analysis, the CSIS Project on Water Security presents comprehensive policy solutions to the challenges water insecurity poses to U.S. geopolitical and economic interests, with a special focus on the relationship between global food security and global water security. The CSIS Project on Water Security is supported with the generosity of CSIS Trustee Henrietta Fore and builds upon years of world-class research from CSIS’s Global Food Security Program.

CSIS Project on Water Security Steering Committee Members

Troy Benavidez, LIXIL International
Kate Brauman, Global Water Security Center
Marcela Chacon, Bayer
James Dalton, International Union for Conservation of Nature
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF
J. Carl Ganter, Circle of Blue
Franck Gbaguidi, Eurasia Group
Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute
Hank Habicht III, Water Finance Exchange
Charles Iceland, World Resources Institute
Saroj Khumar Jha, World Bank Group
Saadia Madsbjerg, Formerly Coca-Cola Foundation
Jeff Malcolm, World Wildlife Fund
Elizabeth Marcey, WaterAid America
Peter McCornick, University of Nebraska
Tanvi Nagpal, Tetra Tech
Chuck Podolak, Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona
William Reilly, World Wildlife Fund (Emeritus)
Shaolei Ren, University of California, Riverside
Claudia Ringler, International Food Policy Research Institute
Claudia Sadoff, Formerly CGIAR
Aaron Salzberg, University of North Carolina, Water Institute
Jeff Seabright, Systemiq Ltd.
Kinya Seto, LIXIL International
Thomas Shannon Jr., Arnold & Porter
Lauren Post Thomas, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Lars Thunell, Spowdi AB
Sera Young, Northwestern University

Featured

Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Can India Cut Off Pakistan’s Indus River Lifeline?

In retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, threatening to block Pakistan’s vital water supplies and risking regional stability in South Asia.

Critical Questions by David Michel — May 1, 2025

All Project on Water Security Content

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Can India Cut Off Pakistan’s Indus River Lifeline?

In retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, threatening to block Pakistan’s vital water supplies and risking regional stability in South Asia.

Critical Questions by David Michel — May 1, 2025

Hidden Depths

Protecting Water in Conflict

In this episode of Hidden Depths, host David Michel breaks down necessary steps for protecting water resources in conflict zones.

Podcast Episode by David Michel — April 7, 2025

Photo: CSIS
Hidden Depths

Water Diplomacy and Peacebuilding

Join us for the conclusion of Hidden Depths as we look forward to a cooperative future for this most critical resource.

Podcast Episode by David Michel — April 7, 2025

Photo: CSIS
Hidden Depths

Introducing Hidden Depths

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.

Podcast Episode by David Michel — February 27, 2025

Photo: CSIS

Ocean Warming: A Livelihood Threat to Ghana’s Coastal Fishers

Ocean warming has made the collapse of Ghana’s fisheries virtually inevitable, and overfishing by foreign and local fishers contributes to the problem. CSIS-affiliated experts share insights on transitioning Ghana’s coastal fishing communities to alternate livelihoods. 

Commentary by Emmanuel Akyeampong, John M. Kusimi, and Robert Paarlberg — October 8, 2024

No City Is an Island: Urban Water Security, Infrastructure, and Resilience

Cities are thirsty places. But rising demand and growing environmental pressures increasingly strain urban water supplies. By 2050, half the world’s big cities will face water scarcity. Cities worldwide must develop strategies to strengthen sustainable water systems.

Commentary by David Michel — June 3, 2024

Living the Global Water Crisis

Join the CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program to discuss the themes of this year’s World Water Day and the tools that researchers and decisionmakers are using to bring human voices to the growing risks to global water security. Featuring Dr. Sera Young.

Event — March 22, 2024