4.1. Introduction

In chapter 2, I described the long and contentious hydropolitical history of the Jordan River watershed. I concluded with several policy recommendations informed by the lessons of history. In chapter 3, I suggested an interdisciplinary analytical framework for water conflict analysis, using precepts from the physical sciences, law, political science, economics, game theory, and alternative dispute resolution. In this chapter, I bring the sitespecific lessons from history together with the general guidelines from the analytical framework, in an attempt to address the problems of the Jordan River watershed.

There are actually two distinct problems in the Jordan River watershed. The first is a "water crisis" - too little water supply for too much demand similar to that in many water basins throughout the region and the world. The second problem is the "water conflict" the political tensions brought about by a water crisis in this particular international water basin, which is shared by riparians who have deep and long-standing enmity towards each other.

My approach in this chapter is to address the water crisis by formulating a water development plan for the Jordan basin, using the general guidelines of my analytical framework. In the process, by keeping in mind the lessons of the history of this particular watershed, I may be able to offer suggestions for alleviating some aspects of the water conflict as well.

The general process is as outlined in chapter 3:

1. Preliminary watershed analysis.

• Survey of hydropolitical positions.
• Goal statement and planning horizon.
• Future water supply and demand, water stress.

2. Evaluation framework.

• Options and viability.
• Recommendations.

3. Implementation - three examples of cooperation-inducing project design.

• An agreement for water sharing.
• The mountain aquifer.
• A Med-Dead or Red-Dead Canal.