The Jordan River conflict is a long-standing issue related to the use and control of the Jordan River and its water resources. The Jordan River primarily flows through four countries: Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. The river is a crucial source of freshwater for the region and supports agriculture, industry, and human consumption.

The Jordan River conflict is multi-layered, involving political factors regarding the allocation of its resources, disputes due to the historical/religious significance it holds for the countries involved, and environmental concerns arising from the ongoing conflict. 

The root of the conflict behind the geopolitical control over the Jordan river lies in the fact that the countries involved are situated in the most water-scarce region in the world. In 1967 from June 5 to June 10, in what was known as the Six-Day War, Israel captured Golan Heights, a region containing the headwaters of the Jordan River (Hasbani, Banias and Dan), from Syria. The Jordan River’s headwaters are fed by groundwater and seasonal surface runoff Israel's control of the Jordan River's headwaters gave it a significant advantage over other countries in the region, as it could control the amount of water that flowed downstream throughout the surrounding nations. This initiated rising tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors, particularly Jordan and Syria as the control of the Jordan River basin became a major point of contention. As tensions escalated, Israel strategically accelerated its usage of the Jordan River, building a series of dams, reservoirs, and canals to divert water from the Jordan River to its agricultural lands in the Negev desert. Being situated in a water-scarce region amplifies the impact that Israel’s control of the Jordan River basin has on surrounding nations. For example, Jordan, a nation heavily dependent on the Jordan River for its water supply, accused Israel of diverting too much water from the river, leaving it with a shortage of water for its growing population. 

Religious factors also play a significant role in the conflict over the control of the Jordan River basin. Mentioned in the Bible and considered a sacred site by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, the Jordan River is believed to be the site where Jesus was baptized. In addition, the Jordan River is a vital source of water for the Jordan Valley, which is mentioned in the Bible as the "land of milk and honey” further highlighting the significance that the Jordan River has in providing water for its region. The religious significance of the Jordan River escalated tensions between the surrounding countries due to their conflicting Israeli and Arab backgrounds.

The Jordan River is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including many endemic species that are unique to the region. Some of the key species found in the river and its surrounding areas include the common kingfisher, the Palestine sunbird, the Syrian woodpecker, and the Jordanian frog. 

This rich biodiversity, however,  is under threat due to a variety of factors mainly pertaining to human action. One of the main threats is the diversion of water for human use, which has significantly reduced the flow of the river and impacted its ecosystems. Dams and other infrastructure projects have also disrupted the natural flow of the river, which can have negative impacts on aquatic habitats and species.