Water Security

Competing demands for freshwater play out between sectors and regions within the same country, and between nations that vie for access to the water on which their entire economies—agriculture, energy, and industry—rely. This webpage is the library for all content on water security by scholars across CSIS. The CSIS Project on Water Security webpage present comprehensive policy solutions to the challenges water insecurity poses to U.S. geopolitical and economic interests, with a special focus on global food security, produced by the CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program. The Water and the Future of the Middle East project webpage houses the Middle East Program’s work to energize the policy environment around the issue of water insecurity in the region and provide constructive recommendations for necessary transformation.

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

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Living the Global Water Crisis

Presented by Global Food and Water Security Program
March 22, 2024 • 12:00 – 12:30 pm EDT

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Global Food and Water Security Program

Leading research, analysis, and policy recommendations to improve global food and water security.

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Related Programs

Experts

Caitlin Welsh

Caitlin Welsh

Director, Global Food and Water Security Program
Katherine E. Bliss

Katherine E. Bliss

Senior Fellow and Director, Immunizations and Health Systems Resilience, Global Health Policy Center
David Michel

David Michel

Senior Fellow, Global Food and Water Security Program
Jon B. Alterman

Zane Swanson

Deputy Director, Global Food and Water Security Program

All 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

Water as a driver of conflict 

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 socio-economic and environmental pressures.

Podcast Episode by David Michel — March 24, 2025

Photo: CSIS
Hidden Depths

New forms of water conflict 

David Michel looks at attacks on water by terrorist groups and examines how digitalization creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities for the water sector and everything that depends on it.

Podcast Episode by David Michel — March 24, 2025

Photo: CSIS

Navigating Waters

As India navigates mounting water challenges, a strategic partnership with the U.S. presents a pivotal opportunity to drive innovation, investment, and long-term security. This paper examines the evolving landscape of bilateral cooperation in shaping India’s water future.

Report by Bhawna Prakash and Abhinav Subramaniam — March 17, 2025