Mesopotamian Vitality Falls to Turkey

Controlling the headwaters of the Tigris-Euphrates river basin gives Turkey leverage over its neighbors' water security. Turkey has talked about utilizing its water resources since the country's founding, but only since the mid-20th century has the government actively worked to develop the necessary infrastructure needed to capitalize on its advantage and boost the country's energy and agricultural sectors. Though Ankara is focused on the Islamic State's recent advancements in the region, large water management projects are potential indicators of Turkey's long-term regional role. The country hopes to maintain influence and power over its regional neighbors, but its Kurdish population on and around its southern border will act as the nation's Achilles' heel....