Wars over resources have up-ticked post World War Two. Nations that sought to secure strategic interests have conflicted with oil, gas, and minerals—but a war over water could ensue along the Nile River.

Ethiopia and Egypt, two countries that have been in gridlock in Africa, have had several decades of conflict over the Blue Nile. This has heightened with the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This conflict, which could become a war over water, wouldn’t be constrained to the region but could have global repercussions—something the United States must prepare for if it does.

Background

The Nile River flows south to north, and eight different nations produce their agriculture from the basin. Egypt and Ethiopia, two countries who don’t ideologically align, had a lukewarm partnership as part of the Non-aligned Movement during the Cold War.