Nivar

Nivar

A Study on the Application of Metaverse Diplomacy for Integrated Dust Storm Management from a Hydropolitical Perspective (Case Study: Tigris and Euphrates Watershed)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Ansari Ghojghar 1
Hossein Azarnivand 2
Paria Pourmohammad 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran.
3 Ph.D. candidate, Department of Reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran
10.30467/nivar.2025.233539
Abstract
Metaverse diplomacy, as an innovative and digitally oriented approach to tackling complex international challenges, offers a platform for virtual and meaningful interactions among stakeholders. The Tigris and Euphrates watershed, recognized globally as one of the most politically sensitive transboundary regions, is characterized by intricate political, social, and security interdependencies involving water resources. Extensive dam projects along the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers have had profound security and environmental ramifications for downstream nations, sparking contentious disputes over water rights. The reduction of water allocations and the failure to meet agreements for downstream countries have led to the desiccation of vital wetlands, turning them into major sources of wind erosion and intensifying dust storms in the region. This research, using a descriptive-analytical approach, examines the application of metaverse diplomacy from a hydropolitical perspective within the Tigris-Euphrates watershed. The findings of this study hold potential for informing the formulation of regional and international policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of dust storms. Moreover, metaverse diplomacy could serve as a tool for facilitating dialogue among the riparian nations of the Tigris-Euphrates watershed, enhancing cross-border cooperation and fostering conflict resolution. The integration of virtual simulations and scenario-based modeling could significantly improve the forecasting and management of dust storms, serving as a pivotal platform for the exchange of information, and enabling more rapid, informed decision-making in the context of reifying predictions and countering dust storm impacts.
Keywords
Visualization
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Shared Benefits
Geopolitics
1.    Abdi, A., Yazdanpanah, Q. and Javadi, Z., 2020. Dust crises and its regional geopolitical and security impact in West Asia. Pollution, 6(2), pp.453–468.
2.    Akilli, E., 2022. The Metaverse Diplomacy. Insight Turkey, 24(3), pp.67–88.
3.    Al-Ansari, N., 2013. Water Resources Management in the Euphrates and Tigris Basins. Water Resources Management, 27(3), pp.671–684. doi:10.1007/s11269-012-0306-3
4.    Allam, Z., Sharifi, A., Bibri, S. E., Jones, D. S. and Krogstie, J., 2022. The metaverse as a virtual form of smart cities: Opportunities and challenges for environmental, economic, and social sustainability in urban futures. Smart Cities, 5(3), pp.771–801.
5.    Allan, J. A., 2001. The Middle East water question: Hydropolitics and the global economy. I.B. Tauris.
6.    Altinbilek, D., 2004. Development and management of the Euphrates–Tigris basin. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 20(1), pp.15–33.
7.    Damodaran, A., 2023. India, Climate Change, and the Global Commons. Oxford University Press.
8.    Darabpour, M. R. (2023). Metaverse: Its nature and legal challenges (Governance, individuals, and assets). Journal of New Technologies Law, 4(7), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1234/jntl.2023.00001 (in persian).
9.    Darvishi Boloorani, A., Samany, N. N., Mirzaei, S., Bahrami, H. A., & Alavipanah, S. K., 2020. Remote sensing and GIS for dust storm studies in Iraq. Environmental remote sensing and GIS in Iraq, pp.333–375.
10. Dima, A. M., 2022. Fostering recovery through metaverse business modelling. In The 5th International Conference on Economics and Social Sciences. Walter de Gruyter (Sciendo).
11. Dionisio, J. D. N., Iii, W. G. B. and Gilbert, R., 2013. 3D virtual worlds and the metaverse: Current status and future possibilities. ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 45(3), pp.1-38.
12. Fathi, H. and Asadi, A., 2020. Water scarcity in Iran: Causes, challenges, and solutions. Water Policy, 22(1), pp.93–113. doi:10.2166/wp.2019.105
13. Gupta, A., 2023. Metaverse: Challenges and opportunities for diplomacy and international relations. Journal of International Law and Politics, 55(1), pp.1–15.
14. Hafeznia, M. R., Taheri, A., Farajzadeh Asl, M. and Karaminezhad, H., 2017. The effects of political factors on intensification of dust storms in the Euphrates–Tigris River Basin. Human Geography Research, 49(4), pp.857–868(in persian). doi: 10.22059/jhgr.2016.58810
15. Harris, L. M. and Alatout, S., 2010. Negotiating hydro-scales, forging states: Comparison of the politics of water resources management in Turkey and Israel. Political Geography, 29(3), pp.148–156.
16. Heriamsal, K., Heatubun, R. P., Jekaisa, H. and Adikusuma, A. I. T., 2024. Water Diplomacy and Non-Traditional Security: Iraq's Efforts to Overcomes the Water Crisis. Nation State: Journal of International Studies, 7(2), pp.162-179.
17. Kibaroglu, A., Klaphake, A., Kramer, A., Scheumann, W. and Carius, A., 2005. Cooperation on Turkey’s transboundary waters. Adelphi Research.
18. Kibaroglu, A., Scheumann, W., & Kramer, A. (Eds.), 2011. Turkey's water policy: National frameworks and international cooperation. Springer Science & Business Media.
19. Mahmoodzadeh, D., Morid, S., Ketabchi, H. and Safaee, A., 2024. Conflict and Cooperation Monitoring Components in the Transboundary Basins and Implementation in the Euphrates and Tigris Basin. Geopolitics Quarterly, 20(1), pp.268–306(in persian). doi: 10.22034/igq.2024.391487.1758
20. Maleki, A. and Mari, H. (2021). Turkey's security objectives in the GAP project and its impact on Iran. Politics and International Relations, 5(10), 203-219(in persian).
21. Mehrabi, A., Ebrahimi, H. and Panahy Mehrabany, M., 2023. Explaining the impact of Turkey's hydropolitical approaches on the micro-dust crisis in I.R. Iran. Quarterly Journal of Environmental Studies Strategic of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 7(1), pp.89–112(in persian).
22. Mianabadi, H. and Amini, A., 2019. Complexity of Water, Politics, and Environment in the Euphrates and Tigris River Basins. Geopolitics Quarterly, 15(2), pp.54–86(in persian).
23. Mohammadi, H., & Joufar, M., 2024. Hydropolitical analysis of the diversion of Tigris water.  
24. Monjezi, N. and Roknedineftekhari, A., 2024. Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts of Dust on Quality of Life in Rural Households in Masjed Soleiman City. Journal of Environmental Science Studies, 9(2), pp.8333-8344(in persian). doi: 10.22034/jess.2022.238385.1409
25. Moshfegh, Z., 2022. Examining the security-economic dimensions of shared border waters between Iran, Iraq, and Turkey (Tigris and Euphrates Basin). Quarterly Journal of Security Studies.
26. Mystakidis, S. M., 2022. Encyclopedia 2022, 2, pp.486–497.
27. Naderi, M., Goodarzi, M. and Emam Jomezadeh, S. J., 2022. Assessing implications of Turkish dams on the national security of the countries affected by the Tigris and Euphrates. Islamic World Political Research, 12(4), pp.167–193(in persian).
28. Ning, H. H., Dhelim, S., & Farha, F., 2022. A survey on metaverse: The state-of-the-art technologies, applications, and challenges.
29. Rashidinejad, A., Kaviani Rad, M., Mottaqi, 2024. Reflection of Hydropolitical Actions of Upstream Tigris and Euphrates Countries on Islamic Republic of Iran's Security: Case study GAP Project in Turkey. JGS, 24(75), pp.74–96(in persian). doi: 10.61186/jgs.24.75.9
30. Razviyan, M.T. and Koushki, F., 2014. Investigating the origin and impacts of dust storms in Kermanshah province(in persian).
31. Sadrania, H., Kaviani Rad, M. and Nasri Fakhrdavod, S., 2022. The impact of water shortage crisis on Iran-Iraq hydropolitical relations. POS, 4(2), pp.112–125(in persian).
32. Scurati, G. W., Bertoni, M., Graziosi, S. and Ferrise, F., 2021. Exploring the use of virtual reality to support environmentally sustainable behavior: A framework to design experiences. Sustainability, 13(2), pp.943.
33. Selby, J., 2005. The geopolitics of water in the Middle East: Fantasies and realities. Third World Quarterly, 26(2), pp.329–349.
34. Shoker, A., 2022. Digital sovereignty strategies for every nation. Applied Cybersecurity & Internet Governance, 1(1), pp.1–17.
35. UNESCO, 2013. The impact of global change on the Nile Basin: Options for hydropolitical sustainability.
36. Warner, J. and Zeitoun, M., 2008. International relations theory and water do mix: A response to Furlong's troubled waters. Political Geography, 27(7), pp.802–810.
37. Woods, L., 2022. Regulating the future: The Online Safety Bill and the metaverse. Professor of Internet Law, University of Essex and William Perrin, Trustee. Carnegie UK.
38. Yadav, A. K. & Dwivedi, S. P., 2024. Comprehensive metaverse design concept using augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. In Understanding the Metaverse: Applications, Challenges and the Future, pp.239–263. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
39. Zaki, Y. and Asadollahi, S., 2020. Hydropolitic of Turkey GAP Project and its effect on environmental security of Iraq and Syria. POS, 3(1), pp.1–9(in persian).
40. Zebardast, L., Balist, J., & Karimi, H., 2023. Integrated environmental assessment of unsustainable exploitation and pollution of shared water resources in transboundary basins of semi-arid and arid regions. Case study: Tigris-Euphrates river basin. Pollution, 9(4), pp.1475–1495.
41. Zeitoun, M. and Mirumachi, N., 2008. Transboundary water interaction I: Reconsidering conflict and cooperation. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 8(4), pp.297–316.
42. Zhou, J., Fu, S., Hui, P., & Wang, Y., 2024, December. Development of cross-regional collaborative project-based courses in metaverse. In Proceedings of the 17th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction, pp.1–8.
Nivar
Volume 49, Special Issue (S1) - Serial Number 1
Special Issue (S1)
November 2025
Pages 1-13

  • Receive Date 18 May 2025
  • Revise Date 04 September 2025
  • Accept Date 22 November 2025
  • Publish Date 23 September 2025