The Documentary Podcast - The politics of water: Iraq and Turkey

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Two rivers helped build civilisation. Now they are at the centre of a geopolitical struggle that casts a shadow over the future of the Middle East. For centuries, the Tigris and Euphrates carried goods, armies and ideas, shaping some of history's greatest empires. But today, a toxic mix of climate change, outdated irrigation methods and conflicting national interests is pushing these rivers to the brink. As Turkey’s vast dam projects reduce downstream flows, Iraq is being forced into negotiations that go far beyond water, touching on security cooperation, trade routes and energy. The Global Jigsaw tells the story of how water became a geopolitical bargaining chip.

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Contributors: Dilay Yalcin, Mohammed al-Jumaily
Producer: Dilay Yalcin, Barry Sadid
Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg
Music: Pete Cunningham

Published on Sunday, 11th October 2026.

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