ABSTRACT
From the myriad of possible Middle East water-related projects we choose to focus on one example by reviewing its technological, ecological, economic and political ramifications. The Aqaba Eilat projects is relatively manageable from the point of view of size. The Gateway of the Far East and Africa to European markets currently is limited to the Suez Canal. The other arm of the north end of the Red Sea ends in a cul-de-sac, the Gulf of Aqaba. Japanese products such as cars and steel enter Israel and Jordan and materials, e.g., phosphates and oil distillates are returned to the Far East. An Eilat Aqaba harbor could have far-reaching effects. A port 11 km inland would provide an excellent location for a coal-fueled water-cooled power plant of any economically-determined size. This would be especially important to Jordan, since it has only one marine outlet where water cooled power can be generated.
