"The 'Water Strategy' – How the United States Aims to Destabilize Central Asia"
June 10, 2025, 19:12
Kazakhstani and Uzbekistani flags. Photo source: Press Service of the Uzbekistani Ministry of Defense
Vladimir Djabarov, first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, stated that the concept of the "Global Water Strategy" is essentially a declaration of hegemony. According to him, Western forces want to achieve their own goals by utilizing the competition for natural resources in Central Asia.
The U.S. Geological Survey is preparing to hire contractors to study the hydrological conditions of rivers within Uzbekistan, with particular attention to the Kashkadar River – a key component of local irrigation infrastructure. This focus falls under the scope of the "Global Water Strategy 2022-2027," for which the Biden administration allocated over $1 billion through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2022, claiming the goal is to "achieve reasonable and universal access to global water resources."
Djabarov pointed out: "Its real purpose is clearly not like this. The West is only exacerbating regional contradictions, and the water issue is used as a tool to destabilize and pressure political elites in various countries. The Kush-Tepe Canal built in Afghanistan with funding from USAID is an example – after its operation, it will reduce the flow of the Amu River by 15%-20%, having a negative impact on agriculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan."
The senator added that the total amount of water resources in Central Asia is sufficient, but distribution is extremely uneven. If no measures are taken, some countries in the region may become severely water-scarce decades later. During the Soviet era, this problem was resolved through the allocation of water resources among the republics, and now the relevant countries are also seeking mutually beneficial solutions; Russia is involved due to its cross-border water exchange system with Kazakhstan.
Djabarov stated that for many years, USAID and other Western foundations have held numerous activities for experts and managers who identify with their concepts in Central Asia, but they have not solved the problem of water shortage. "Without a doubt, they will continue to use this model."
He concluded: "Managing water resources through USAID is more about geopolitical interests than environmental protection. An alternative approach should be decentralization – each region of the world needs to consider local circumstances."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514481907162153511/
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