Mekong Policy Project
Stimson's long-running Mekong Policy Project focuses on the transboundary aspects of the environmental, human security and regional political impacts of proposed hydropower dams on the Mekong River mainstream. Over the past several years we have engaged in a multi-venue program of interviews, workshops and speaking events, sharing our political economy perspective and analysis while deepening our own understanding and knowledge of the region and its challenges, especially those of cooperative and environmentally sustainable development. In 2013, the project will build upon the program's many years of experience along the Mekong in order to promote both further awareness among regional actors of the transboundary impacts of hydroelectric development as well as the concept of a "Mekong Standard" for acceptable development.
News
Zachary Dubel was quoted a number of times in an article by Voice of America's Sok Khemara, which discussed the threats of hydropower and climate change to the Mekong River. Read the full article here. | March 22, 2013
Richard Cronin was quoted several times in an article by Radio Free Asia's Parameswaran Ponnudurai discussing hydroelectric development and the potential for conflict along the Mekong River. Read the full article here. | October 2, 2012
Ellen Laipson participates in a roundtable discussion of the National Intelligence Council's 2012 "Global Water Security" report as part of the National Conversation series at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, on May 9, 2012. Click here to watch. | May 09, 2012
Richard Cronin Published a Two-Part Series on the Mekong River in World Politics Review. Click here to Read. | March 28, 2012
Rich Cronin comments on China's Hydropower Dams and their impact on the Mekong in China Hydropower Dams in Mekong Give Shocks to 60 Million for Bloomberg. Read the entire article here. | October 28, 2010
Analysis
Letter from the Mekong: Examining Hydropower Dams | March 12, 2013
By Richard Cronin
China and the Geopolitics of the Mekong River Basin | April 19, 2012
By Richard Cronin
Laos’ Xayaburi Dam Decision Requires a “Mekong Standard” | December 06, 2012
By Richard Cronin
Testimony before Senate Foreign Relations Hearing on Water and Security in Southeast Asia | September 23, 2010
By Richard Cronin
Publications
Mekong Turning Point | February 03, 2012
The political economy of the Mekong River Basin shifted in 2011 from policies that exploited this transboundary resource shared by China and five Southeast Asian countries, to potentially more cooperative and sustainable approaches. Whether the effects last remains to be seen, but for once "business as usual" in the construction of environmentally destructive hydropower dams encountered an unforeseen obstacle...Read More>>
Mekong Tipping Point | April 07, 2010
Mekong governments are making economic development decisions now that, if not soon reconsidered based on more careful study, will imperil food security and livelihoods, threaten domestic political stability, and put great stress on still distrustful regional relationships...Read More>>
Multimedia
Discussion and Report Launch: Mekong Turning Point | April 19, 2012
Planet Forward speaks with Dr. Richard Cronin about the Mekong | August 22, 2011
Mekong Tipping Point | September 21, 2010
Mekong Tipping Point (Vietnamese Version) | September 20, 2010