ABSTRACT
This chapter critically examines the role of distrust in international relations, focusing on transboundary water management and water diplomacy. It challenges the conventional premise that trust is a prerequisite for cooperation, proposing that distrust can also be constructive in negotiations, especially in hydropolitics. The discussion centres on two transboundary river basins – the Nile and Euphrates-Tigris. Both cases demonstrate how historical distrust stemming from political and economic conflicts can lead to partially successful negotiations and cooperative agreements. It argues that cooperation driven by economic incentives can mitigate distrust, indicating that immediate trust-building among adversaries is not a prerequisite for practical cooperation. This chapter posits that distrust, while often leading to conflict, can also facilitate the formation of cooperative mechanisms in international relations. It highlights the intricate balance between distrust, conflict, and cooperation in transboundary water resources, influenced by broader political and economic dynamics.
