A Review of Hydro-Hegemonic Dynamics on the Transboundary Harirud River Basin: 2001–Present

In the absence of a transboundary water agreement between riparian states Harirud River Basin, downstream states—Iran and Turkmenistan—have adopted resource-capturing policy through construction Doosti Dam in lower Basin when upstream state—Afghanistan—was engaged social unrest during 1980s to early 2000s. While has high potential supplying for major cities Turkmenistan Iran, its flow declined due climate changes drought basin. The paper found that Iran accuses Afghanistan blocking Salma Dam, whereas some Afghan Iranian scholars critique Iran’s management approach shortages dams employment unsustainable irrigation approaches Basin. Additionally, hydro-hegemony theory was critiqued as under-estimates broader role outside basin players influencing reshaping hydro-politics shared watercourse. Finally, it concluded rapid drawdown US forces from along with establishment fragile, weak, politically unrecognized government-Islamic Emirates Afghanistan—under Taliban administration—helped reinforce hydro-hegemonic