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New thinking in the theoretical framework of hydro-hegemony, with emphasis on the aras transboundary basin

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Abstract

The conceptual and theoretical framework of hydro-hegemony, is of increasing importance to predict the behaviors and strategies of the hydro-hegemonic and non-hydro-hegemonic actors have been favored at the level of transboundary basins, recently. Since there is no consensus on the theory of hydro-hegemony among hydropolitical science thinkers, and hydro-hegemony as well as its related models have been mainly used to analyze several important transboundary basins in the world; as a result, this research seeks to complete the theoretical framework of hydro-hegemony so that this framework, in addition to being more complete, also has the ability to adapt to different transboundary basins in the world. In this regard, the Aras transboundary basin, which is shared by the 4 countries of Iran, Türkiye, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the hydro-hegemonic relations in this basin can be investigated due to the multiplicity of state actors in it and their sometimes different and conflicting interests, has been selected as a case study for the upcoming research. With the aim that investigating the behavior of state actors in the Aras transboundary basin can lead to the completion and adaptability of the theory of hydro-hegemony for more basins, with emphasis on the transboundary basins of Iran. This research is theoretical-fundamental, descriptive-analytical and based on the causal research method. Finally, the research has reached a series of changes, omissions and additions in the theoretical framework of hydro-hegemony, based on the current geopolitical and hydropolitical relations in the Aras basin.

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Acknowledgements

Considering the aggravation of the water crisis and the importance of transboundary waters, we would like to appreciate the GeoJournal for paying attention to the importance of Hydropolitics and Hydro-Hegemony subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Yashar Zaki, Hamed Hekmatara, Zahra Pishgahi Fard & Bahador Zarei

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  1. Yashar Zaki
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  2. Hamed Hekmatara
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  3. Zahra Pishgahi Fard
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  4. Bahador Zarei
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Correspondence to Yashar Zaki.

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Zaki, Y., Hekmatara, H., Fard, Z.P. et al. New thinking in the theoretical framework of hydro-hegemony, with emphasis on the aras transboundary basin. GeoJournal 89, 122 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-024-11124-4

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