Our Scans · Western Sahara · Weekly Summary

• Iran likely shares Iraqi concerns that Sadr's non-participation in the upcoming elections will cause instability, but hopes that the Shia Coordination Framework's unity will overcome Sadr's popularity. Institute for the Study of War
• The French Development Agency said it would invest 150 million euros ($167 million) in Western Sahara in 2025-2026, following Paris' recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed desert territory. FDD
• While the Western Sahara conflict has not emerged as a key driver of tensions between Algeria and Morocco, it is the military theater that poses a limited but growing risk of accidental escalation between them. PassBlue
• Adding a layer of complexity, neighboring Algeria and Morocco have been escalating tensions over the Western Sahara issue, dashing hopes for a united Maghreb and greater regional integration. Middle East Council on Global Affairs
• Should the U.S. reaffirm the first Trump administration's position on Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, otherwise tilt more clearly toward Morocco or halt its engagement with both sides, tensions between Algeria and Morocco could climb. The Nigerian Voice
• Rising temperatures will impact the global ocean circulation system, which regulates climate by storing and transporting heat, carbon, nutrients, and freshwater around the world. The Indian Express
• Nearly two million people live in areas that would be heavily impacted by flooding, 17 million people live near fault lines in high-risk seismic zones, and high drought stress is predicted to persist in 2024. ReliefWeb
• Companies and governments in arid places like California will eventually need to invest more in power lines or water pipelines to connect sunny areas to water resources for green hydrogen production, said UC-Irvine' s Brouwer, who is also part of the ARCHES leadership team. Louisiana Illuminator
• The nonprofit Food and Water Watch has estimated that the hydrogen to run that first plant would suck up 122 million gallons of water a year by 2045. Louisiana Illuminator
• Dissolving the OECA will hinder the EPA's enforcement of landmark environmental laws - including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act - that protect human and environmental health and improve U.S. climate resilience. Center for American Progress
• Heat waves and dust storms, combined with air and water pollution, threaten the health and well-being of urban populations in Afghanistan and increase regional isolation due to water tensions with neighboring countries. Hasht-e Subh
• Energy, water, and food shortages, along with irreversible environmental damage and climate changes, are bound to happen within a decade if the current course of action is maintained, preparing the perfect storm - a chain of interrelated events that could lead to major stress on the global system. Cambridge Core
• SIG will initially supply Alesayi Beverages with its SIG SureFill 42 Aseptic filling line, as well as 10 L SIG bags using the SIG 2 Pure Film, a one-layer film specifically developed for water and ideal for BIB applications, retaining a high water quality for up to a year without affecting taste. Packaging Insight
• Scientists from the United Kingdom's University of Exeter have investigated the potential of installing a floating PV farm on Oman's Wadi Dayqah Dam and coupling it with a hydrogen storage system. pv magazine International
• Any images of planets will be single points of light and will not directly show surface features like clouds, continents, and oceans. SciTechDaily
• If carbon outputs keep pace and the planet heats up quickly, the rebounding land will not be enough to slow the rapidly melting ice, and instead pushes more ocean water away from Antarctica, accelerating sea-level rise along populated coastlines. ScienceDaily
• Mines are effective in controlling or denying access to areas of water or land, and mine warfare is a real threat to even the strongest world powers. The National Interest
• As drinking water travels through underground pipes in extreme heat, it can warm to temperatures much higher than the 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) the World Health Organization recommends as a maximum to limit opportunities for microbes to flourish. Scientific American
• The federal EPA finalized a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation establishing legally enforceable levels for six PFAS in drinking water that, once in effect, will drive more water treatment and protect public health. Clean Water Action
• Autonomous crop management technologies ensure sustainable agriculture by reducing chemical use, optimizing water consumption and reducing soil disruption, contributing towards the global environmental goals. Mobility Foresights
• The Chilkat Indian Village will monitor water quality and increase its tribal capacity to document current conditions in portions of the Chilkat watershed prior to future development that may impact salmon populations, which is important for native subsistence. ECO Magazine
• Pressures on water supplies can arise in summer months in parts of the UK - particularly in the southeast where there is typically higher temperatures and less rainfall - and Thames Water last year acknowledged that it could restrict data centers' access to water during periods of extreme drought. Pinsent Masons

Last updated: 14 June 2025