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 web page is the library for all content on water security by scholars across CSIS. The CSIS Project on Water Security web page 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.

A woman carries water in front of a surreal desert sunset

Created by Sarah Grace with footage from Getty and Storyblocks

Troubling Waters: Understanding Global Water Security

As the ramifications of the global water crisis grow in scope and severity, understanding the manifold and devastating consequences of water insecurity—in all its forms—is increasingly critical to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of billions around the world.

Digital Report by Zane Swanson and Sarah Grace — February 12, 2024

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Featured Event

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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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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Global Development Recommendations for the Next Administration

CSIS Global Development Department experts offer an initial set of recommendations for the incoming Trump administration on how it can advance American security, influence, and relevance through engagement with low- and middle-income countries.

Digital Report by The CSIS Global Development Department — December 18, 2024

To Bolster Global Food and Water Security, Strengthen U.S. Policy Coordination

Clean water and nutritious food are vital to human welfare. They are also increasingly important to U.S. strategic interests. Strengthening U.S. policy coordination can maximize resources and capture multiple synergies across global food and water security goals.

Commentary by David Michel and Caitlin Welsh — December 18, 2024

Audio Briefs

To Bolster Global Food and Water Security, Strengthen U.S. Policy Coordination

An audio version of “To Bolster Global Food and Water Security, Strengthen U.S. Policy Coordination,” a new commentary by CSIS’s David Michel and Caitlin Welsh. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by David Michel and Caitlin Welsh — December 18, 2024

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

What Causes Water Conflict?

An audio version of “What Causes Water Conflict?,” a new commentary by CSIS’s David Michel. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by David Michel — November 8, 2024

Audio Briefs

What Causes Water Conflict?

Growing water demands, mounting environmental stresses, and poor management practices increasingly strain global water supplies. Violent conflicts over access to and control of water systems are rapidly rising as competing users assert their claims to vital resources.

Commentary by David Michel — November 8, 2024

Gaza's Looming Polio Threat—Gaza: The Human Toll

CSIS welcomed Jean Gough, Special Representative for UNICEF in the State of Palestine; Hamid Jafari, WHO Director of Polio Eradication; and Richard (Rik) Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for Occupied Palestinian Territory, to discuss the threat of polio in Gaza.

Transcript — August 20, 2024

Roadmap to Resilience: USAID's Updated Resilience Policy

Join the CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program for a discussion on USAID's updated Resilience Policy for improving the well-being of people, communities, and countries in the face of increased shocks and stresses.

Event — July 30, 2024