<P> Water politics in the Middle East deals with control of the water resources of the Middle East, an arid region where issues of the use, supply, control, and allocation of water are of primary source . </P> <P> Water politics plays a role in various areas of politics in the Middle East, and it is particularly important in one of the defining features of the region's political landscape . Water issues reflect a central aspect of the nature of the Israeli--Palestinian conflict; namely, the original influx of an additional large population mass to a relatively fragile geographical area of land, and the massive expansion of previously existing populations . Concerns over water have significantly helped to shape the Middle East's political development . </P> <P> Issues relating to water supplies, then, affect international and inter-regional affairs, with disputes over countries' rights and access to water resources most often the cause of tensions in this arena . The contended nature of some water provisions has tended to mean that certain waters become more prone to political conflicts (those which are primarily prone to this in the Middle East and northern Africa are the Nile, Jordan and Tigris - Euphrates rivers). In order to secure reliable levels of water access for their populations, states must either have a large water supply in terms of economic availability, or their rights to such supplies must be established . Studies of water in the Middle East have also suggested that, in a sensitive hydrological location, a country's existing surface - and ground - water access should be protected as a first priority if it is to begin to address any water difficulties or shortages . Such measures as these can be seen as being the primary responsibilities of national governments or ruling authorities; and water is therefore closely tied up with statehood and geographical territory in international relations, and with the recognition and rights of nation states as the central actors in this field . </P>

Major rivers in the middle east are most important for what