Reviewing Water Wars and Water Weaponisation Literatures: Is There an Unnoticed Link?

The prediction made by former Vice President of the World Bank, Ismail Serageldin, that the wars of the 21st century will be about water, remains on the international political agenda. Yet, there is enough evidence corroborating that water wars have not occurred in the past and that there are sufficient mechanisms in place to prevent them in the future. Simultaneously, domestic water violent conflicts have been taking place, usually as immediate reactions to localised disputes. More importantly, water weaponisation has been gaining visibility during violent conflicts, violating international humanitarian law without any consequences so far. This paper reviews the water wars and water weaponisation literatures, arguing that there is an under-researched link between these two literatures and practices. This review suggests that the water weaponisation discourse and practice may facilitate the context for the water wars prophecy to become true.