As the Middle East braces for another year of extreme heat, climate change is turning the soil to dust in the landscape that has long been known as the fertile crescent — and water has become a new source of conflict.
Alissa J. Rubin, who covers the Middle East, tells the story of Iraq’s water crisis and what it means for the world.
Today
Natalie Harp’s Devotion to Trump
Natalie Harp is a constant presence at President Trump’s side. She’s a 35-year-old gatekeeper, deciding much of what he sees. She stays up late with him to draft his social media posts and even texts with world leaders on his behalf. Today, Maggie Haberman, a White House correspo ... Show More
22m 49s
Aug 2025
The Middle East's Water and Climate Crisis: Lessons from Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf
In this episode of Middle East Focus, host Alistair Taylor is joined by climate, energy, and sustainability expert Karim Elgendy to examine the growing water and climate crisis across the Middle East. They explore how climate change, mismanagement, and regional politics are strai ... Show More
32m 43s
Dec 2023
Analysis: The Ripple Effect of Water Insecurity
The Middle East is experiencing a water crisis exacerbated by climate change, inefficient water use, and decades of resource mismanagement. Water insecurity not only aggravates pre-existing vulnerabilities; it also drives instability, conflict, and displacement. In this short epi ... Show More
5m 16s
Jun 2023
China, climate change and El Nino: an emerging food, water and power crisis
Holly Chik looks at how this year’s heatwaves in China presaged the announcement of an El Nino weather cycle. Shanghai-based sustainability expert Richard Brubaker analyses the challenges to secure water, food and power supplies. Siqi Ji reports on the ongoing drought in Yunnan p ... Show More
28m 57s
Aug 2021
IPCC Clearly Now
Climate change report warns of more extreme heat, droughts and flooding. Professor Ed Hawkins, one of the report’s authors, talks us through the findings.Wildfires are spreading in Greece and Turkey. Our reporter, Bethany Bell, is on the Greek island of Evia, where more than 2,00 ... Show More
34m 30s
Jul 2023
One Thing: Welcome to Hot World Summer
Throughout the month of July, scorching temperatures have broken records on several continents — the latest in a trend caused by the climate crisis. Meanwhile, in the US, extreme rainfall has led to devastating floods and toxic wildfire smoke has drifted down from Canada, prompti ... Show More
17m 1s