THE HELMAND RIVER WATER DISPUTE BETWEEN IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, POTENTIAL RISKS AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

Öz

The dispute over the allocation of water in the Helmand River has been ongoing between Iran and Afghanistan for many years. Despite various steps taken and the agreement reached in 1973, the issue remains unresolved, causing tensions between the two countries, especially during drought periods. The prepared study aims to provide answers to why river water is so important and why the issue has not yet been resolved through historical and strategic analyses. However, beyond this, the main focus and therefore the purpose of this study is to identify the potential risks that may arise if the problem remains unresolved and to propose solutions. In this context, the study attempts to provide some concrete suggestions through the benefit-sharing theory categorized into four headings by Claudia W. Sadoff and David Grey, thereby offering an alternative perspective for a solution. This study argues that if the water issue persists, certain developments may emerge in both countries, but particularly in Iran, which could affect both internal and regional balances.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Helmand River
• Transboundary Waters
• Iran
• Afghanistan
• Sistan and Baluchistan

İRAN İLE AFGANİSTAN ARASINDAKİ HİLMEND NEHRİ SU SORUNU: TARİHİ ARKA PLAN, POTANSİYEL RİSKLER VE ÇÖZÜM ÖNERİLERİ

Öz

Hilmend Nehri’ndeki suyun tahsisine yönelik anlaşmazlık İran ile Afganistan arasında uzun yıllardan beri devam etmektedir. Atılan çeşitli adımlara ve 1973’te yapılan anlaşmaya rağmen henüz çözülemeyen sorun, özellikle kurak dönemlerde iki ülke arasında gerginlik yaratmaktadır. Hazırlanan çalışmada tarihsel ve stratejik analizler yapılarak nehir suyunun neden bu kadar önemli olduğu ve neden hala çözülemediği sorularına cevap aranmaktadır. Ancak bundan da öte sorunun çözümsüz kalması durumunda ortaya çıkabilecek potansiyel riskleri ortaya koymak ve çözüme yönelik öneriler sunmak bu çalışmanın esas odak noktasını ve dolayısıyla amacını oluşturmaktadır. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, Claudia W. Sadoff and David Grey tarafından dört başlık altında kategorize edilen fayda-paylaşım teorisi üzerinden birtakım somut öneriler sunularak çözüme yönelik alternatif bir bakış açısı oluşturulmaya çalışılmaktadır. Bu çalışma su sorununun devam etmesi durumunda her iki ülkede ancak özellikle İran’da hem iç hem de bölgesel dengeleri etkileyebilecek güvenlik eksenli birtakım gelişmelerin ortaya çıkabileceğini iddia etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Hilmend Nehri
• Sınıraşan Sular
• Iran
• Afganistan
• Sistan ve Belucistan

Kaynakça

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