Water and energy for the Middle East: currency for peace

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this article is to propose the use of nuclear power to provide electricity and wide‐scale desalination to meet future population growth in Israel and a Palestinian State.

Design/methodology/approach

The extent of future water and power shortages in Israel and a Palestinian States expounded in the article and various methods for alleviating these shortages are explored. Comparisons are made with historical approaches.

Findings

Nuclear pebble‐bed technology is found to be the most cost‐effective way to energize future water and power needs. It is safe, non‐polluting, and terrorist resistant.

Originality/value

This article makes the case that abundant water and power in the Middle East is both a pre‐requisite and a stimulant for peace in the region.

Citation

Baker Schaffer, M. (2007), "Water and energy for the Middle East: currency for peace", Foresight, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 50-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636680710727543