EU needs to help stem regional water conflicts

MSNBC via Reuters: European governments must wield their influence and engineering skills more effectively to prevent conflicts over water supply that could threaten global security, the European Union's policy chief Catherine Ashton said.

The EU has a strategic interest in ensuring stability in regions with some of the world's biggest water problems, including North Africa after the Arab Spring revolts and Central Asia which holds crucial energy reserves. Ashton said the Nile basin was a particular concern.

"If managed well, the Nile holds the potential to catalyze regional integration and to help bring prosperity and stability to a vast area," she said in written responses received late on Friday to Reuters' questions.

"If handled poorly, each of the Nile countries could feel the negative consequences in their economic and social development."…

The Nile Delta from space. Yes, NASA was there