Water is one of the most important and potentially explosive issues in modern Middle East politics. It is an issue arguably far more significant to the region than oil. It has dogged relations between Middle East societies for centuries if not millennia and will continue to do so long after oil has ceased to hold sway. The editors of this book have brought together an impressive team of experts to examine all aspects of the water question. These include international law, shari'a, customs and water rights, international politics, the role of the World Bank, water management, the environment and pollution, commercial issues and investment in water, engineering and technology.