Water Security

Nations and economies rely on fresh water, but it is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. CSIS scholars present comprehensive policy solutions to the challenges water insecurity poses to U.S. geopolitical and economic interests, energizing the policy environment around the issue and providing constructive recommendations for necessary transformation.

Photo: Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025

Photo: Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025

Satellite Imagery Shows Tehran’s Accelerating Water Crisis

Tehran’s water crisis is rapidly worsening, as imagery analysis shows its key reservoirs fall far below typical seasonal levels amid years of sustained drought. 

Commentary by David Michel, Will Todman, and Jennifer Jun — November 25, 2025

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Global Food and Water Security Program

Leading research, analysis, and policy recommendations to improve global food and water security.

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Caitlin Welsh

Caitlin Welsh

Director, Global Food and Water Security Program
Katherine E. Bliss

Katherine E. Bliss

Director and Senior Fellow, Immunizations and Health Systems Resilience, Global Health Policy Center
David Michel

David Michel

Senior Fellow, Global Food and Water Security Program
Jon B. Alterman

Zane Swanson

Deputy Director, Global Food and Water Security Program

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A New Landscape for Development: Examining Impacts, Capabilities, and Opportunities

Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. This compendium dives deep into the impacts on fields across the development ecosystem and potential opportunities within this new landscape.

Digital Report by Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, Noam Unger, J. Stephen Morrison, Katherine E. Bliss, Romina Bandura, Caitlin Welsh, David Michel, Rose Parker, and Joely Virzi — November 13, 2025

A New Landscape for Development: Recommendations

Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. These recommendations provide guidance on how the U.S. can engage meaningfully and productively in the world despite the significant changes.

Digital Report by Noam Unger, Andrew Friedman, and Hadeil Ali — November 13, 2025

Watered Down: A Weakened Global Water Strategy

The US Global Water Strategy reflects longstanding bipartisan commitments to promote safe water services in partner nations. The Trump administration’s radical reductions to foreign aid imperil these goals, making vulnerable populations weaker, poorer, and less secure.

Commentary by David Michel — November 13, 2025

A New Landscape for Development: The Ground Has Shifted

Cuts to foreign assistance have been among the most sweeping changes of the second Trump administration. This digital report examines the context, current state, and early impacts of these dramatic changes and opportunities within this new landscape.

Digital Report by Noam Unger, Andrew Friedman, and Hadeil Ali — November 13, 2025

Building Resilient Water Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Water systems in Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly in crisis. Ensuring a resilient water future for the region requires building not only the hard infrastructure of pipes and valves, but also the soft infrastructure of institutional capacities.

Commentary by David Michel — July 25, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

Keeping Our Beaches Clean with the Surfrider Foundation

Mara Dias, Water Quality Initiative senior manager at the Surfrider Foundation, joins the podcast to discuss how the Foundation's Blue Water Task Force helps monitor water quality at beaches across the country and the public health implications of reducing contamination.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Mara Dias — July 3, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

How the Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity Threatens National Security

The CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program examined examine the national and global security implications of agrobiodiversity loss and celebrated the launch of a new digital report, The Nature of Strength: Creating a More Secure Future with Agricultural Biodiversity.

Transcript — June 11, 2025